Economic analysis of the Southern California Association of Government’s 2012-2035 Regional Transportation Plan. [full text]
Boarnet provided expert advice, direction, and analysis as part of the team that developed a first-ever economic analysis of the regional transportation investment plan for the five-county greater Los Angeles area. See chapter 8 of the 2012-2035 Regional Transportation Plan.
Economic analysis of mining
Boarnet has conducted several analysis of the economic impact of sand and gravel mining, as an expert consultant to mining companies across California and their legal counsel.
Enterprise Zones and Job Creation
M. Boarnet, “Enterprise Zones and Economic Development: How Can We Learn More?” Economic Development Quarterly, volume 15, number 3, pp. 242-254, August, 2001. [full article]
Abstract: Although enterprise zones have been a popular economic development tool for several years, there is still a lack of evidence on both zone effectiveness and how to improve existing zone programs. This article discusses several evaluation criteria that should be given more attention. Read more.
M. Boarnet and W.T. Bogart, “Enterprise Zones and Employment: Evidence From New Jersey,” Journal of Urban Economics, volume 40, number 2, pp. 198-215, September, 1996. [full article]
Abstract: This paper presents new evidence on the effectiveness of urban enterprise zones as an economic development tool. The results reported here are from an econometric analysis of the New Jersey urban enterprise zone program using data at the municipal level from 1982 to 1990. We find no evidence that the urban enterprise zone program in New Jersey had a positive effect on total municipal employment, on employment in various sectors, or on municipal property values. We conclude that the program was ineffective in achieving its goal of improving the economic conditions in and around the zones. Read more.
Traffic Congestion and Economic Productivity
Boarnet authored one of the first studies that established a link between traffic congestion and reduced regional economic performance. See the following.
M. Boarnet, “Infrastructure Services and the Productivity of Public Capital: The Case of Streets and Highways,” National Tax Journal, volume 50, number 1, pp. 39-57, March, 1997. [full article]
Abstract: This article reviews the recent literature on public infrastructure and economic productivity, with special attention to the particular case of highway infrastructure. Recent evidence suggests that, at the margin, highway infrastructure contributes little to state or national productivity. This is consistent with studies that show relatively small land-use impactsfrom modem highways. Read more.
