Abstract
This paper uses a stated preference survey to estimate the value of reductions in community severance (the “barrier effect” of transport infrastructure on pedestrians). The survey was conducted in four urban areas in England. Participants were asked whether they would cross a road without designated crossing facilities in order to access a cheaper shop or a bus stop on the other side of the road, instead of a more expensive one on their side of the road. This method provides information for the inclusion of severance effects in the appraisal of interventions to change road design and to control motorised traffic. The estimated value per walking trip of reducing the number of vehicle lanes from 3 to 2 and from 2 to 1 is £1.28 and £1.00 respectively. The value of adding a central reservation (median strip) is £1.08. The value of reducing traffic levels from medium to low and from high to medium is £0.76 and £1.08 respectively The value of reducing speed limits below 30mph is £0.45. These values depend on age, gender, disability, health condition, mobility restrictions, qualifications, location, and walking behaviour.
Highlights
Transport systems have a number of negative effects that are not priced in the market
This paper uses a stated preference survey to estimate the value of reductions in community severance
An issue known as barrier effect, arises when transport infrastructure or high volumes of motorised road traffic cut through communities, disrupting the walking mobility and accessibility of local residents (Tate, 1997; Read and Cramphorn, 2001; James et al, 2005; Bradbury et al, 2007; Anciaes, 2015; Anciaes et al, 2016a, 2016b; Mindell et al, 2017)
Summary
Transport systems have a number of negative effects that are not priced in the market. An issue known as barrier effect, arises when transport infrastructure (such as roads and railways) or high volumes of motorised road traffic cut through communities, disrupting the walking mobility and accessibility of local residents (Tate, 1997; Read and Cramphorn, 2001; James et al, 2005; Bradbury et al, 2007; Anciaes, 2015; Anciaes et al, 2016a, 2016b; Mindell et al, 2017) This impact can have major negative consequences for public health, well-being, and social inclusion (Mindell and Karlsen, 2012), but is not well captured in existing transport appraisal methods as it is poorly understood and lacks a basis for economic valuation. This paper develops a method to estimate the value of road schemes that improve conditions for pedestrians crossing busy roads, including changes in road design (number of traffic lanes and existence of central reservation/median strip) and traffic characteristics (density and speed).
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