North Carolina I-95 Economic Assessment

After the North Carolina Department of Transportation completed the I-95 Corridor Planning and Finance Environmental Assessment, they found that approximately 10% of the $4.4 billion in funds needed to make the recommended improvements was available through the state budget. To make up for some of the funding deficit and complete the improvements to I-95 within a reasonable time frame, the Environmental Assessment suggested tolling the interstate. This study was organized to identify the economic impact of five separate build scenarios and determine the most effective approach for this transportation system. The REMI economic model estimated the full economic impacts of the Business As Usual, No Specific Funding, Fund via Tolls, Fund via Mitigated Tolls, and Fund via Alternative Funding scenarios.

Cambridge Systematics – North Carolina I-95 Economic Assessment [full PDF]

Assessment of Tax Revenue Generated by the Automotive Sector

The Center for Automotive Research wanted a better understanding of the total financial contribution of the United States’ largest manufacturing industry to state and federal tax revenues and, to achieve a greater understanding, they employed a dynamic, inter-industry model developed by REMI. In 2010, the estimates found that the automotive sector generates at least $91.5 billion in state government tax revenue and at least $43 billion in federal government tax revenue, with additional tax revenues withheld from the study that could increase those figures. The study also mentioned that as the economy continues in its recovery, auto sales improve, and companies are able to create and retain jobs at greater rates, tax revenues generated by the automotive sector could increase to even greater levels.

Center for Automotive Research – Assessment of Tax Revenue Generated by the Automotive Sector [full PDF]

Economic Impact of Bicycling and Walking in Vermont

The REMI economic impact model was used for a one year “snapshot” study of the total economic and environmental benefit of bicycle and pedestrian facilities and activities, including tourism, environmental, improved air quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, real estate values, health, reduction in demand on the transportation systems, and other economic benefits. Analysts discovered that the state budget fiscal impact from bicycle and pedestrian activities in 2009 amounted to a net positive of $1.6 million of tax and fee revenues for the State of Vermont in addition to an increase in home values statewide of approximately $350 million because those homes are in more walkable areas.

Resource Systems Group – Economic Impact of Bicycling and Walking in Vermont [full PDF]

Economic and Job Creation Analysis: SCAG RTP 2012 (Full Report)

This report forecasted the yearly direct and indirect effects of the Southern California Association of Governments’ Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy out to 2035. The analysis displayed an annual increase of nearly 200,000 jobs across the six-county region as well as a rise in indirect spending by the beneficiaries of these newly-added occupations. SCAG validated the REMI model results against a literary comparison and believes a better estimate of job gains from the network benefits of fully implementing the RTP are 354,000 jobs per year, on average. Reductions in congestion delays and air quality improvements enhance economic competitiveness in the SCAG region, which could create even larger returns on this transportation investment.

SCAG – RTP 2012-2035 [full PDF]

The Projected Economic Impact of Providing a Pathway to Legal Status in California: A County Specific Assessment

REMI estimated that the establishment of a pathway to legal status for undocumented residents currently living in the State of California and the ten targeted counties used in this study would have net positive effects on the regional economics as measured by major indicators of growth in gross regional product, creation of jobs, and growth in personal income at the county level. The Pathway to Legal Status applies to individuals who currently reside, and for the most part already work, in the United States. It differs from immigration policy centered on changing the number of new immigrants, or in changing the number of new employment-based visas, and changes the type of work that can be sought and obtained by a previously undocumented worker, without having a significant effect on either the overall size of the labor force or population residing in the United States. The analysis found that employment and real personal income increased as wage gains and corresponding productivity increases added to U.S. economic activity as a whole.

Regional Economic Models, Inc. – The Projected Economic Impact of Providing a Pathway to Legal Status In California [full PDF]