Road to Nowhere: An Assessment of Social Costs from the Use of Cars in Cypriot Cities
Journal
Cyprus Economic Policy Review
Date Issued
2008
Author(s)
Abstract
The paper offers an assessment of marginal external costs from car use in urban
areas of Cyprus; these are the social costs generated by the use of cars other than
those paid by car travellers themselves. On the basis of a European methodology
and local traffic data, costs are computed for externalities such as congestion,
accidents, noise, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and other social impacts.
Results are in line with those for other similar European cities. Congestion
represents the highest part of costs during most hours of the day, exceeding one
Euro per kilometre during morning peak traffic. Accident costs prevail at night
time. Impacts from noise, air pollution and climate change generate relatively low
costs. External costs may be several times higher than private costs. Policy
implications of these findings are discussed, with special emphasis on the
importance of establishing an extensive public transportation infrastructure in
Cypriot cities in order to tackle these externalities.
areas of Cyprus; these are the social costs generated by the use of cars other than
those paid by car travellers themselves. On the basis of a European methodology
and local traffic data, costs are computed for externalities such as congestion,
accidents, noise, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and other social impacts.
Results are in line with those for other similar European cities. Congestion
represents the highest part of costs during most hours of the day, exceeding one
Euro per kilometre during morning peak traffic. Accident costs prevail at night
time. Impacts from noise, air pollution and climate change generate relatively low
costs. External costs may be several times higher than private costs. Policy
implications of these findings are discussed, with special emphasis on the
importance of establishing an extensive public transportation infrastructure in
Cypriot cities in order to tackle these externalities.
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