Variable tolling for Externality Reduction In Columbia, South Carolina Traffic

School Name

Governor's School for Science & Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Consumer Science

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: Chandini Sankaran, University of South Carolina

Abstract

Rush hour traffic produces a number of negative externalities areas such as pollution, congestion, and oil dependency. This study aims to quantify these effects in Columbia, South Carolina in an attempt to ascertain the extent of their monetary impacts and make loose expectations for what can be done to alleviate the issue. Traffic counts were obtained at one intersection in downtown Columbia and the data was analyzed with an index that quantified the effect of externalities. In addition, emission data was compared with that provided by the EPA for Richmond County to see the contribution of yearly emissions from a single intersection. The results show a presence of externalities, the extent of their importance a question yet to be determined as well as what the most suitable solution is given a more comprehensive analysis of traffic flow.

Location

Wall 210

Start Date

3-25-2017 9:15 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 25th, 9:15 AM

Variable tolling for Externality Reduction In Columbia, South Carolina Traffic

Wall 210

Rush hour traffic produces a number of negative externalities areas such as pollution, congestion, and oil dependency. This study aims to quantify these effects in Columbia, South Carolina in an attempt to ascertain the extent of their monetary impacts and make loose expectations for what can be done to alleviate the issue. Traffic counts were obtained at one intersection in downtown Columbia and the data was analyzed with an index that quantified the effect of externalities. In addition, emission data was compared with that provided by the EPA for Richmond County to see the contribution of yearly emissions from a single intersection. The results show a presence of externalities, the extent of their importance a question yet to be determined as well as what the most suitable solution is given a more comprehensive analysis of traffic flow.