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Should transportation spending be included in a stimulus program? a review of the literature

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  • Sylvain Leduc
  • Daniel J. Wilson

Abstract

Transportation spending often plays a prominent role in government efforts to stimulate the economy during downturns. Yet, despite the frequent use of transportation spending as a form of fiscal stimulus, there is little known about its short- or medium-run effectiveness. Does it translate quickly into higher employment and economic activity or does it impact the economy only slowly over time? This paper reviews the empirical findings in the literature for the United States and other developed economies and compares the effects of transportation spending to those of other types of government spending.

Suggested Citation

  • Sylvain Leduc & Daniel J. Wilson, 2012. "Should transportation spending be included in a stimulus program? a review of the literature," Working Paper Series 2012-15, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedfwp:2012-15
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Holl, Adelheid, 2016. "Highways and productivity in manufacturing firms," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 131-151.
    4. Lukas Buchheim, 2015. "Employment Effects of Stimulus Investments," 2015 Meeting Papers 1455, Society for Economic Dynamics.

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