Project Number:
01-14
Research Project:
Developing and Testing Methodologies for the Evaluation of Highway Widening Plans to Facilitate Freight Flows Throughout a Major Metropolitan Area
P.I. Name & Address:
Peter Gordon
Professor
School of Policy, Planning, and Development
650 Childs Way, RGL 331C
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0626
Tel: (213) 740-1467
Fax: (213) 740-6170
Email:pgordon@usc.edu
Christopher Williamson
Research Associate Professor
College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Geography, KAP 416
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA90089-0255
Tel: (213) 740-1767
Fax: (213) 740-0056
Email:cbwillia@usc.edu
Project Objective:
We will demonstrate a systematic and operational approach to the evaluation of highway widening proposals.The research will focus on highway expansions that best serve the expected growth of freight shipments.We will utilize the Southern California Planning Model 2 (SCPM2) which is the first model of its kind, integrating highway network and regional economic equilibria.Studying proposed highway improvements with this tool will generate information that will better inform decision making.
Model outputs include the calculation of:
- Employment and output impacts for a large number of industries;
- The allocation of these impacts to all Southern California (5-county area) cities;
- The simultaneous effects of any highway network expansions
The various proposals for right-of-way expansion will be translated into land use impacts.A scenarios analysis will be used.Each land use can either:1) cease operations; or 2) relocate in the same city; or 3) relocate elsewhere in the region.Each scenario will have consequences which will be elaborated in terms of the three model outputs mentioned above.
To calculate the economic losses that follow the retirement of various land uses within any expanded right-of-way, we expect to utilize one-meter resolution digital aerial photos currently being compiled by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG).When combined with Census 2000 TIGER® geography and Summary File 1 complete count population and housing data due for upcoming release, we will have the best and most current information available.These digital databases will be in an Arc/Info 8 format and be available to you for your own future use, subject to SCAG licensing restrictions.
Task Descriptions:
A.Calculate a regional baseline of industrial production and network flows.
B.Identify highway links with substantial freight-carrying bottlenecks.
C.Test the network effects of marginal improvements of bottlenecks.
D.Calculate the economic costs (construction expenditures and land uses lost and any land acquisition costs), including various scenarios for financing construction. Complete local finance, for example, would be a redirection of expenditures away from standard household consumption towards highway construction.Alternate levels of local liability will also be concluded.
Milestones, Dates:
Develop final report, including conclusions that rank various plausible highway bottleneck expansions and financing programs.
Total Budget:
$100,000
Student Involvement:
Two Research Assistants @ 33% time for 9 months
Relationship to Other Research Projects:
Project extends work of 99-25;Part of goods movement and international trade focus area
Technology Transfer Activities:
Southern California Association of Governments is cooperating agency;Project report will be posted on website
Potential Benefits of the Project:
Better models for evaluating highway
TRB Keywords:
Goods Movement
Primary Subject:
Transportation Planning, Economics and Institutional Issues
Goals:
Economic Trade and Growth
Enabling Research:
Tools for Modeling and Design
Modal Orientation:
Highway, Rail
