Citation

Duranton G, Turner MA. Am. Econ. Rev. 2011; 101(6): 2616-2652.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, American Economic Association)

DOI

10.1257/aer.101.6.2616

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

We investigate the effect of lane kilometers of roads on vehicle-kilometers traveled (VKT) in US cities. VKT increases proportionately to roadway lane kilometers for interstate highways and probably slightly less rapidly for other types of roads. The sources for this extra VKT are increases in driving by current residents, increases in commercial traffic, and migration. Increasing lane kilometers for one type of road diverts little traffic from other types of road. We find no evidence that the provision of public transportation affects VKT. We conclude that increased provision of roads or public transit is
unlikely to relieve congestion. (JEL R41, R48)

Language: en

Keywords

Regulatory Policies; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise, Transportation Systems: Government Pricing; Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion