Clifford Winston. "Efficient Transportation Infrastructure Policy"
Journal of Economic Perspectives,  Winter 1991

For discussion in class Monday, March 5th

This article is available through: J-STOR, reserve desk

Schaffer library electronic resources

1. Does this article give you the impression that transportation infrastructure is a pure public good? Why or why not?
2. According to Winston, how are roads currently financed, and in what ways is that system inefficient? Under what conditions might the current system be efficient?
3. What alternative system of financing roads does Winston advocate, and how does he think that system would improve efficiency?
4. What change in the way roads are built does Winston advocate? Why?
5. Does Winston believe that congestion on highways can be relieved permanently by increasing capacity (the number of cars highways can accommodate)?
6. What is Winston's policy recommendation for relieving congestion on highways? What arguments and evidence does Winston use to support his recommendation?
7. What do you see as the biggest problems with Winston's proposals? Why?
8. What change in the pricing of airport landing fees does Winston recommend? Why?
9. What is Winston's estimate of the overall annual welfare gain from efficient pricing and investment of highways and airports?