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Abstract:
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This report examines the history and purpose of streetcars in the United States, provides a review of literature related to the functions, costs, and benefits of streetcar projects, and uses case study and cost-benefit analysis to examine the potential of a streetcar alternative for a planned light rail project in Sacramento, California. The cost-benefit analysis reveals some marginal savings for a streetcar alternative, but also found that the project’s benefits do not outweigh the initial investment over a 20-year life cycle. Despite the negative results of the analysis, the paper concludes that additional study is needed to determine whether the addition of land use benefits may return more positive results. |
