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Perspectives on Efficiency in Transportation

Author

Listed:
  • David Levinson

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

Abstract

This paper considers the engineer's, economist's, manager's, and planner's perspectives on effectiveness for transportation respectively. This paper examines both the measures used in each perspective, weighs their advantages and disadvantages for various purposes. The first section summarizes various measures of mobility that are used to assess transportation. This is followed by an exposition of transportation consumer surplus and its limitations. Similar treatment of accessibility and productivity are provided. The conclusions call for consideration of equity and for taking the subjective point of view of the traveler rather than the "objective" point of view of the omniscient planner/engineer/economist/manager.

Suggested Citation

  • David Levinson, 2003. "Perspectives on Efficiency in Transportation," Working Papers 200303, University of Minnesota: Nexus Research Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:nex:wpaper:perspectives
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/11299/179912
    File Function: First version, 2007
    Download Restriction: no
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jin Qin & Yuxin He & Linglin Ni, 2014. "Quantitative Efficiency Evaluation Method for Transportation Networks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(12), pages 1-15, November.
    2. Levinson, David & Zhang, Lei, 2006. "Ramp meters on trial: Evidence from the Twin Cities metering holiday," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 40(10), pages 810-828, December.
    3. Feng Xie & David Levinson, 2007. "The Weakest Link: A Model of the Decline of Surface Transportation Networks," Working Papers 200803, University of Minnesota: Nexus Research Group.
    4. Zhai, Wei & Bai, Xueyin & Peng, Zhong-ren & Gu, Chaolin, 2019. "A bottom-up transportation network efficiency measuring approach: A case study of taxi efficiency in New York City," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    5. Samaha, Petra & Mohtar, Amer, 2020. "Decoding an urban myth: An inquiry into the Van line 4 system in Beirut, Lebanon," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    6. Wanyu Yang & Xuebing Ouyang & Tiezhu Li, 2023. "Research on the Regional Transport Development Index and Its Application in Decision Making and Sustainable Development of Transport Services: A Case Study in Yunnan Province, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-16, January.
    7. Kayakutlu, Gulgun & Buyukozkan, Gulcin, 2011. "Assessing performance factors for a 3PL in a value chain," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(2), pages 441-452, June.
    8. Blake Davis & Ang Ji & Bichen Liu & David Levinson, 2020. "Moving Array Traffic Probes," Working Papers 2022-01, University of Minnesota: Nexus Research Group.
    9. Niu, Yanliang & Li, Xin & Zhang, Jiangxue & Deng, Xiaopeng & Chang, Yuan, 2023. "Efficiency of railway transport: A comparative analysis for 16 countries," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 42-53.
    10. Xiaoshu Cao & Feiwen Liang & Huiling Chen & Yongwei Liu, 2017. "Circuity Characteristics of Urban Travel Based on GPS Data: A Case Study of Guangzhou," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-21, November.
    11. Nahmias–Biran, Bat-hen & Shiftan, Yoram, 2016. "Towards a more equitable distribution of resources: Using activity-based models and subjective well-being measures in transport project evaluation," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 672-684.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Performance Based Programming; Performance Measures; Systems Evaluation; Measures of Effectiveness; Mobility; Utility; Benefit-Cost; Productivity; Accessibility .;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R40 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - General
    • R48 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government Pricing and Policy
    • D30 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - General

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