Journal of Economic Literature
ISSN 0022-0515 (Print) | ISSN 2328-8175 (Online)
On the Performance of the U.S. Transportation System: Caution Ahead
Journal of Economic Literature
(pp. 773–824)
(Complimentary)
Abstract
Transportation is a vital sector of the U.S. economy based on consumers', firms', and government's enormous expenditures in money and time and on its effect on virtually all other sectors in the economy. I assess the performance of the transportation system and consider how it could be improved by analyzing whether the United States has the optimal mix of public and private provision. The empirical evidence indicates that our hugely important transportation system has been compromised by various government policies and the significant welfare costs motivate either vastly improving public provision or expanding the role of the private sectorCitation
Winston, Clifford. 2013. "On the Performance of the U.S. Transportation System: Caution Ahead." Journal of Economic Literature 51 (3): 773–824. DOI: 10.1257/jel.51.3.773Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- H44 Publicly Provided Goods: Mixed Markets
- H54 National Government Expenditures and Related Policies: Infrastructures; Other Public Investment and Capital Stock
- H76 State and Local Government: Other Expenditure Categories
- L91 Transportation: General
- L98 Industry Studies: Utilities and Transportation: Government Policy
- R41 Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise
- R48 Transportation Systems: Government Pricing and Policy