What positive or negative externalities does this issue (widening roads) present at each sector of the economy?
Government:
Government:
- (-) Uses large amounts of money than could be used elsewhere
- (-) More law enforcement is necessary
- (-) Larger roads require more maintenance
- (+) Creates more jobs: designers, engineers, etc.
- (-) Construction causes a decrease in revenue
- (-) Overcrowded parking lots
- (+) Temporarily decreases traffic congestion b/c it causes induced demand
- (-) Increased car dependency; use less bicycling, walking, and transit b/c of decreased safety & convenience
- (-) Decreased sense of community; the 'barrier effect'
- (-) Higher taxes to pay for roads
- (+) Temporarily improves ground shipping, so it may reduce costs
Possible Solutions
Build 'complete streets':
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Discourage driving (esp. during peak times):
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For More Info...
Duranton, Gilles, and Matthew A. Turner. 2011. "The Fundamental Law of Road Congestion: Evidence from US Cities." American Economic Review, 101(6): 2616-52.
Knapp, Keith, Brian Chandler, Jennifer Atkinson, Thomas Welch, Heather Rigdon, Richard Retting, Stacey Meekins, Eric Widstrand, and R.J. Porter. "Road Diet Informational Guide." Road Diet (n.d.): n. pag. Federal Highway Administration Office of Safety, Nov. 2014. Web. 09 May 2015.
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Litman, Todd. "Generated Traffic and Induced Travel." Victoria Transport Policy Institute, 2015. Web. 6 May 2015.
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Nozzi, Dom. "Transportation Is Destiny: Design for Happy People, Not Happy Cars." Walkable Streets. Dom Nozzi, 10 Feb. 2014. Web. 08 May 2015.
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Ullman, Seth. "Edgewater Drive: Improving Safety and Supporting a Main Street" Project for Public Spaces. PPS, n.d. Web. 10 May 2015.
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