The Value of Mortality Risk Reductions in Delhi, India

45 Pages Posted: 20 Apr 2016

See all articles by Soma Bhattacharya

Soma Bhattacharya

University of Maryland

Anna Alberini

University of Maryland - Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics

Maureen Cropper

University of Maryland - Department of Economics; Resources for the Future

Date Written: August 1, 2006

Abstract

The authors interviewed commuters in Delhi, India, asking them to report their willingness to pay (WTP) to reduce their risk of dying in road traffic accidents in each of three scenarios that mirror the circumstances under which the majority of the road fatalities in Delhi occur. The WTP responses are internally valid, in the sense that WTP increases with the size of the risk reduction, income, and exposure to road traffic risks, as measured by length of commute and whether the respondent drives a two-wheeler. As a result, the value of a statistical life (VSL) is individuated - that is, it varies across groups of beneficiaries. For the most likely beneficiaries of road safety programs - the most highly exposed individuals - the VSL is about 150,000 PPP$.

Keywords: Transport Economics Policy & Planning, Roads & Highways, Airports and Air Services, Road Safety, Insurance & Risk Mitigation

Suggested Citation

Bhattacharya, Soma and Alberini, Anna and Cropper, Maureen L., The Value of Mortality Risk Reductions in Delhi, India (August 1, 2006). World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 3995, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=926444

Soma Bhattacharya (Contact Author)

University of Maryland ( email )

College Park
College Park, MD 20742
United States

Anna Alberini

University of Maryland - Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics ( email )

Symmons Hall, Rm 2200
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-5535
United States
301-405-1267 (Phone)
301-314-9091 (Fax)

Maureen L. Cropper

University of Maryland - Department of Economics ( email )

College Park, MD 20742
United States

Resources for the Future ( email )

1616 P Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
United States

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