This paper describes recent research utilizing a computable general equilibrium model of the United States economy to evaluate the national effects of maritime infrastructure investment in Texas. It provides a brief description of the USAGE-ITC model, provided by the U.S. International Trade Commission, describes its application to an analysis of transportation policy as it relates to Texas shallow draft waterways and suggests future transportation applications of the model. The research described in this paper reveals that there are positive, measurable national economic benefits to Federal investments in Texas shallow draft channels. This is significant both in itself and as an illustration of a methodology that may more accurately assess the program evaluation criteria used by Federal agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Samenvatting