The city of Austin commissioned a report by Capital Market Research, Inc. (CMR)
on the development impacts of the proposed streetcar, which was published in
August of 2006. This analysis, Zero Sum Game: Development and the Austin
Streetcar provides an analysis of the CMR report and related issues. The analysis
of the CMR report is limited to a review of the data provided and does not include
an evaluation of CMR methodologies. The following issues are covered:
Property Development Impacts of the Streetcar
Relevant Streetcar Experience in Other Urban Areas
Residential Development Trends in Central Austin
In addition, observations are provided on the use of transit revenues. Finally, because
of the frequent reference to "smart growth" policies in Portland and their potential
applicability in Austin, a brief resume of Portland developments is provided
on in an appendix.
The city of Austin commissioned report by Capital Market Research, Inc. (CMR)
on the development impacts of the proposed streetcar, which was published in
August of 2006.
This CATO Institute report by Randal O'Toole is about the poor
effectiveness of rail transit in general and specifically its overall
negative impact on the environment. It shows most rail lines in
the country use more energy, per passenger mile, than the average
automobile, and many rail lines emit more greenhouse gases than
autos.
The report concludes cities that want to save energy and reduce
greenhouse gases should focus on making autos more efficient by
relieving congestion. Transit agencies that want to save energy
should focus on alternative fuels and smaller buses.