Dublin like many other cities in the world, is suffering from increased traffic and congestion. This congestion results in increased levels of air and noise pollution. This paper presents the main findings of a stated preference study conducted to examine the economic impact of air and noise pollution generated by ground transport. The purpose of this study was to estimate the economic cost of air and noise pollution using a series of discrete choice experiments. The choice experiments were constructed with varying levels of cost (in the form of a clean environment tax) and reductions in air and noise pollution. A survey was undertaken in Dublin, to obtain preferences for reductions in air and noise pollution using a random sample of individuals. The estimated model coefficients demonstrate the significance of reductions in air and noise pollution by the time of day and impact of cost on the choices made. The impacts of socio-economic and attitudinal variables are also tested and presented in the paper. The purpose of this analysis is to highlight what factors influence the choices made by respondents. The results from the choice scenarios are utilised to calculate willingness to pay amounts which are used to measure the economic cost of the externalities of air and noise pollution generated by transport. The paper concludes with a discussion of the results within a policymaking context, to contribute to the debate on the environmental and economic cost of transport. For the covering abstract see ITRD E137145.
Samenvatting