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Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure: A National Study of Employment Impacts

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  • Heidi Garrett-Peltier

Abstract

Pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure such as sidewalks, bike lanes, and trails, can all be used for transportation, recreation, and fitness. These types of infrastructure have been shown to create many benefits for their users as well as the rest of the community. Some of these benefits are economic, such as increased revenues and jobs for local businesses, and some are non-economic benefits such as reduced congestion, better air quality, safer travel routes, and improved health outcomes. While other studies have examined the economic and non-economic impacts of the use of walking and cycling infrastructure, few have analyzed the employment that results from the design and construction of these projects. In this study we estimate the employment impacts of building and refurbishing transportation infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. We analyze various transportation projects and use state-specific data to estimate the number of jobs created within each state where the project is located. The data for this study were gathered from departments of transportation and public works departments from 11 cities in the United States. Using detailed cost estimates on a variety of projects, we use an input-output model to study the direct, indirect, and induced employment that is created through the design, construction, and materials procurement of bicycle, pedestrian, and road infrastructure. We evaluate 58 separate projects and present the results by project, by city, and by category. Overall we find that bicycling infrastructure creates the most jobs for a given level of spending: For each $1 million, the cycling projects in this study create a total of 11.4 jobs within the state where the project is located. Pedestrian-only projects create an average of about 10 jobs per $1 million and multi-use trails create nearly as many, at 9.6 jobs per $1 million. Infrastructure that combines road construction with pedestrian and bicycle facilities creates slightly fewer jobs for the same amount of spending, and road-only projects create the least, with a total of 7.8 jobs per $1 million. On average, the 58 projects we studied create about 9 jobs per $1 million within their own states. If we add the spill-over employment that is created in other states through the supply chain, the employment impact rises by an average of 3 additional jobs per $1 million.

Suggested Citation

  • Heidi Garrett-Peltier, 2011. "Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure: A National Study of Employment Impacts," Published Studies peri_abikes_october2011, Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
    • Handle: RePEc:uma:perips:peri_abikes_october2011
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert Pollin & James Heintz & Heidi Garrett-Peltier, 2009. "The Economic Benefits of Investing in Clean Energy: How the Economic Stimulus Program and New Legislation Can Boost U.S. Economic Growth and Employment," Published Studies economic_benefits, Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
    2. Heidi Garrett-Peltier & Jeffrey Thompson, 2010. "Generating Jobs through State Employer Tax Credits: Is there a Better Way? (Revised)," Working Papers wp219_revised, Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
    3. James Heintz & Heidi Garrett-Peltier & Ben Zipperer, 2011. "New Jobs — Cleaner Air: Employment Effects Under Planned Changes to the EPA’s Air Pollution Rules," Published Studies ceres_peri_feb11, Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
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    2. Wang, Xize & Lindsey, Greg & Hankey, Steve & Hoff, Kris, 2014. "Estimating Mixed-Mode Urban Trail Traffic Using Negative Binomial Regression Models," SocArXiv evpfq_v1, Center for Open Science.
    3. Wang, Xize & Lindsey, Greg & Hankey, Steve & Hoff, Kris, 2014. "Estimating Mixed-Mode Urban Trail Traffic Using Negative Binomial Regression Models," SocArXiv evpfq, Center for Open Science.
    4. Nick Robins & James Rydge & Nicholas Stern & Sam Unsworth & Anna Valero & Dimitri Zenghelis, 2020. "Strategy, investment and policy for a strong and sustainable recovery: an action plan," CEP Covid-19 Analyses cepcovid-19-005, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
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    6. Angela Köppl & Margit Schratzenstaller, 2022. "Macroeconomic Effects of Green Recovery Programmes. Conceptual Framing and a Review of the Empirical Literature," WIFO Working Papers 646, WIFO.
    7. Matthew J. Hanka & John I. Gilderbloom & Wesley L. Meares & Mobin Khan & Keith E. Wresinski, 2015. "Measuring job creation for HOPE VI: a success story for community development efforts," Community Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(2), pages 133-148, April.

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