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Political Preferences and Transport Infrastructure: Evidence from California’s High-Speed Rail

Author

Listed:
  • Pablo D. Fajgelbaum
  • Cecile Gaubert
  • Nicole Gorton
  • Eduardo Morales
  • Edouard Schaal

Abstract

We study how political preferences shaped California’s High-Speed Rail (CHSR), a large transportation project approved by referendum in 2008. Voters’ support responded significantly to the projected economic gains in their tract of residence, as measured by a quantitative model of high-speed rail matched to CHSR plans. Given this response, a revealed-preference approach comparing the proposed network with alternative designs identifies strong planner’s preferences for political support. The optimal politically-blind design would have placed the stations nearer to California’s dense metro areas, where it was harder to sway votes, thus increasing the projected economic gains.

Suggested Citation

  • Pablo D. Fajgelbaum & Cecile Gaubert & Nicole Gorton & Eduardo Morales & Edouard Schaal, 2023. "Political Preferences and Transport Infrastructure: Evidence from California’s High-Speed Rail," NBER Working Papers 31438, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:31438
    Note: ITI POL
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    Cited by:

    1. Rodrigo Adão & Arnaud Costinot & Dave Donaldson & John A. Sturm, 2023. "Why is Trade Not Free? A Revealed Preference Approach," NBER Working Papers 31798, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • R10 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General
    • R42 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government and Private Investment Analysis; Road Maintenance; Transportation Planning

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