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Access and Transit System Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Alireza Ermagun
  • David Levinson

    (Nexus (Networks, Economics, and Urban Systems) Research Group, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota)

Abstract

This study disentangles the impact of financial and physical dimensions of transit service operators on net transit accessibility for 46 of the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. To investigate this interaction along with the production efficiency of transit agencies, two types of analysis are used: a set of linear and quadratic regressions and a data envelopment analysis. We find that vehicle revenue kilometers and operational expenses play a pivotal role in enhancing the accessibility to jobs by transit. The bivariate linear regression models indicate a 1% increase in operational expenses and vehicle revenue kilometers increase the number of jobs that can be reached within 30 minutes by 0.96 and 0.95%, respectively. The results of the quadratic functional form, also, show transit services may have both increasing and decreasing accessibility returns to scale depending on system size, and the results are sensitive to the model used. Overall, the highest system efficiency (access produced per input) is found in the New York, Washington, and Milwaukee metropolitan areas, while Riverside, Detroit, and Austin perform with the lowest efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Alireza Ermagun & David Levinson, 2015. "Access and Transit System Performance," Working Papers 000129, University of Minnesota: Nexus Research Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:nex:wpaper:accessibilitytransitperformance
    DOI: 10.25910/Z07C-KX08
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/11299/179832
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Stanley, John & Levinson, David, 2016. "Workshop 3 report: Sustainable funding sources and related cost benefit measurements," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 143-150.
    2. David Levinson, 2022. "Optimum Stop Spacing for Accessibility," Working Papers 2021-08, University of Minnesota: Nexus Research Group.
    3. Hao Wu & David Levinson, 2018. "Optimum Stop Spacing for Accessibility," Working Papers 171, University of Minnesota: Nexus Research Group.
    4. Chelsey Palmateer & Andrew Owen & David Levinson, 2016. "The Impact of Analysis Boundaries in Accessibility Evaluations: A Case Study," Working Papers 149, University of Minnesota: Nexus Research Group.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Public transit; Accessibility; Envelope of output; Returns to scale; Metropolitan area;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • L92 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Railroads and Other Surface Transportation
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • R14 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns
    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise
    • R42 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government and Private Investment Analysis; Road Maintenance; Transportation Planning
    • R48 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government Pricing and Policy

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