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Commuting to work in cities: Bus, car, or train?

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  • Amitrajeet A. Batabyal
  • Hamid Beladi

Abstract

In this paper, we study the commuting behavior of citizens living in or near a city who must decide how to get to work. Such citizens can use their own car and drive to work or they can take public transport. The two public transport options we consider are the bus and train. In this context, we perform two tasks. First, we analyze the choice of car versus train. We calculate the deadweight loss from the negative externality (traffic congestion) generated by car travel and then discuss how a toll can achieve the efficient allocation of commuters between the car and train modes of transport. Second, we analyze the choice of car versus bus. Again, we calculate the deadweight loss from the traffic congestion resulting from car travel and discuss how a toll can achieve the efficient allocation of commuters between the car and bus modes of transport, which would benefit all commuters. En este artículo se estudia el comportamiento de los desplazamientos al trabajo de los ciudadanos que viven en una ciudad, o cerca de ella, y que deben decidir cómo ir al trabajo. Estos ciudadanos pueden utilizar su propio coche y conducir hasta el trabajo o pueden tomar el transporte público. Las dos opciones de transporte público que se consideran son el autobús y el tren. En este contexto, se realizaron dos tareas. En primer lugar, se analizó la elección del coche frente al tren. Se calculó la pérdida de peso muerto derivada de la externalidad negativa (congestión del tráfico) generada por los viajes en coche y, a continuación, se analizó cómo un peaje puede lograr un reparto eficiente de los viajeros entre los modos de transporte en coche y en tren. En segundo lugar, se analizó la elección del coche frente al autobús. Una vez más, se calculó la pérdida de peso muerto derivada de la congestión del tráfico resultante de los viajes en coche y se analizó cómo un peaje puede lograr un reparto eficiente de los viajeros entre los modos de transporte de coche y autobús, que beneficiaría a todos los viajeros. 本稿では、都市あるいはその近郊に住む、通勤手段を選択しなければならない市民の通勤行動を検討する。このような市民は、自分の車で通勤したり、公共交通機関を利用したりすることができる。我々はバスと電車を公共交通機関の2つの選択肢として考える。このコンテキストで、2つのタスクを実施する。最初に、自動車対電車の選択を分析する。自動車での移動によって発生する負の外部性 (交通渋滞)から死重損失を計算し、ある損失がどのようにして、自動車または電車の交通手段での通勤者の効率的配分を達成できるかを考察する。次に、自動車対バスの選択を分析する。これも、自動車での移動によって生じる交通渋滞による死重損失を計算し、損失がどのようにして自動車またはバスの交通手段での通勤者の効率的配分を達成でき、すべての通勤者に利益をもたらすかを考察する。

Suggested Citation

  • Amitrajeet A. Batabyal & Hamid Beladi, 2022. "Commuting to work in cities: Bus, car, or train?," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 14(3), pages 599-609, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:rgscpp:v:14:y:2022:i:3:p:599-609
    DOI: 10.1111/rsp3.12521
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities
    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise

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