Traffic Congestion and Accident Externality: A Japan-U.S. Comparison

Abstract

We measure the accident externality from driving in the spirit of Edlin and Karaca-Mandic (2006). We collect data that parallel those used in Edlin and Karaca-Mandic and apply their empirical method to gain further insights about the accident externality. Consistent with Edlin and Karaca-Mandic, we find larger external costs for higher density roads, although the sizes largely depend on the variable definition and the model specification. One intriguing result is that per-vehicle external costs are considerably smaller in Japan than those in the U.S. In Kyoto, for example, an additional driver increases accident costs for other drivers by $248--$802, while it is $1,725--$2,432 in California where the traffic density is approximately the same. However, on a per-mile basis, much closer externalities are obtained. This finding indicates that the large externality in high-density roads underscored in Edlin and Karaca-Mandic is partly attributed to the fact that U.S. drivers drive longer distances, comparatively speaking.

Heterogeneity of the Accident Externality from Driving

“…They find that to correct the substantial accident externalities, a Pigouvian tax could raise over $220 billion per year nationally. By adopting Edlin and Karaca‐Mandic's methodology, Saito, Kato, and Shimane () also find evidence of a positive and significant externality in Japan. The estimated nationwide Pigouvian tax is about $16–$51 billion in Japan.…”

“…For example, see Parry (), Edlin and Karaca‐Mandic (), Saito, Kato, and Shimane (), and Parry, Walls, and Harrington ().…”

The environmental cost and the accident externality of driving: Evidence from the Swiss franc's appreciation

“…5 This result is explained by the fact that NOx emissions seem to be larger in congested traffic conditions than in smooth traffic conditions (Ko et al, 2019). 6 By adopting Edlin and Karaca-Mandic (2006)'s methodology, Saito et al (2010) provided evidence for a positive and statistically significant accident externalities in Japan. However, the accident externality per vehicle is estimated to be smaller in Japan than in the United States.…”

“…6 6 By adopting Edlin and Karaca‐Mandic (2006)'s methodology, Saito et al (2010) provided evidence for a positive and statistically significant accident externalities in Japan. However, the accident externality per vehicle is estimated to be smaller in Japan than in the United States.…”

Traffic Congestion Issues, Perceptions, Experience and Satisfaction of Car Drivers/Owners on Urban Roads

“…Secondly, if the people i.e. drivers have to stop after every kilometer for few minutes and then flow starts again, then, this repeated pattern of traffic flow is called congestion on the urban roads of Japanese cities [13]. In developing countries like Pakistan there is high car ownership, which causes congestion on their urban roads and the approach they take is to provide primary and secondary level transportation infrastructure i.e.…”