01127207

Component

This paper describes the development and application of a benefit/cost analysis (BCA) model to support the evaluation of investment decisions for intercity bus services. The model recognizes two principle types of intercity bus benefits: benefits that accrue to users of the transportation system and benefits that accrue to local areas from the presence of intercity bus services. The model was implemented into a MS Excel spreadsheet application and was applied to case studies of proposed intercity bus routes in Wisconsin. The case studies considered three future scenarios envisioned for year 2030: (a) status quo plus a single proposed route; (b) status quo plus all proposed routes; and (c) status quo plus proposed intercity bus routes and high-speed rail. The analysis results, particularly in the form of net benefit value and benefit-cost ratio, can be used to help decision-makers prioritize the test routes based on their relative economic return on investment.

01120148

09-3638

English

22p

2009

Transportation Research Board 88th Annual Meeting

DVD

Figures (4) ; References (20) ; Tables (2)

Benefit cost analysis; Bus transportation; Buses; Case studies; Economics; High speed rail; Intercity bus lines; Local transportation; Public transit; Routes

Wisconsin

Economics; Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation; I10: Economics and Administration

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2009 Paper #09-3638

TRIS, TRB

Jan 30 2009 8:03PM