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Tucker, Matthew

Community Development and Applied Economics

2011

MS

Intergovernmental relations can affect the prioritization process of allocation transportation funds that is disconnected from the equity goals laid out in the Federal transportation bill SAFETEA-LU. This thesis examines how equally funds are distributed across local governments and jurisdictions in one region from 1998 to 20I0 and how the intergovernmental arrangements may affect the distribution. Using the funds obligated to each jurisdiction in the region, I calculated gini coefficients to analyze the equity in the distribution of formula funds and total transportation funds. Since some areas have more transportation needs, I also generate gini coefficients for the distribution of funds per capita, per lane mile, and per vehicle mile traveled (VMT}. in the jurisdiction. Results show that there is inequity in the system as gini coefficients are high with a measure of 0.66 for total funds, 0.63 for funds over population density, 0.78 for funds over lane miles and 0.77 for funds over VMTs. The distribution of formula funds llad similarly high numbers with a coefficient of 0.69 for total funds, 0.64 for funds over population density, 0.79 for funds over lane miles and 0.80 for funds over VMTs.
To explore how intergovernmental relations affect the distribution of transportation funds, I built a system dynamics model that reflects the system of funding. Important variables include the financial and technical capacity of local governments which can intluence their priority ranking on the state's transportation improvement program (STIP) and the region's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Analysis of the model can help explain the distribution of funds and how certain jurisdictions attract more funds. The model contributes to further work in developing an agent-based model of transportation planning.