The most notable aspect of this study is its breadth. The analysis process included an integrated set of simulation and forecasting models of the economy and the transportation network to evaluate potential impacts of this major highway investment. In addition to projecting benefits to auto travelers, the study focused on estimating impacts on expansion of existing business, attraction of new business, and tourism growth. Specific attention focused on providing a rigorous framework for benefit assessment that avoids double counting, a typical problem of economic impact assessment. In addition, attention was given to providing a methodology for estimating transportation and economic impacts that adequately recognizes implications of business efficiency benefits, a shortcoming of some prior economic assessment studies.
Airlines are an important component of regional economies.
The economic impact of an airline goes beyond the usual impacts of their payroll and expenditures. Airlines also may affect business productivity and the critical economic base of a regional economy. This article estimates the economic impact of America West Airlines on Las Vegas, Nevada. Key aspects of the study were measurement of the direct impacts, estimation of the associated impact on tourism allowing for the possibility of competing travel alternatives, and the use of a regional economic impact model to derive the total economic impact. In addition, the study examined the benefit versus cost relationship of the two HSR alternatives and evaluated station area development, land value impacts and social equity issues.