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Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology to measure some of the economic impacts of
state highway programs. State departments of transportation (DOTs) need such a methodology for
a variety of reasons, including long-term highway planning as well as advising state policymakers
concerning the economic impacts of highway programs. The specific objectives of this study are:
(1) describe a procedure to measure the output, value added, and employment impacts of specific
types of highway and bridge improvement, and (2) illustrate an application of the model using data
from Kansas.
The objectives of the research are accomplished with input-output modeling. An 11-step
procedure is described for adjusting the Kansas IMPLAN input-output model so that it is capable
of measuring economic impacts for specific types of highway and bridge improvement. The model is
illustrated using data from a recently completed study of the Kansas Comprehensive Transportation
Program (CTP), which included expenditure of $5.24 billion on state highway system projects. Data
from this study are used to demonstrate the calculation of output, value added, and employment
impacts for five different highway and bridge improvement categories.