Welfare Effects of Adverse Weather through Speed Changes in Car Commuting Trips

Tinbergen Institute Discussion Paper No. 2008-087/3

23 Pages Posted: 19 Sep 2008

See all articles by Muhammad Sabir

Muhammad Sabir

VU University Amsterdam

Jos van Ommeren

Tinbergen Institute; Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

Mark J. Koetse

Free University of Amsterdam - Department of Spatial Economics

Piet Rietveld

VU University Amsterdam - Department of Spatial Economics (Deceased)

Date Written: August 22, 2008

Abstract

This paper investigates the welfare effect of adverse weather through changes in the speed of individuals' car commuting trips in the entire Netherlands. Weather measurements are local and time specific (hourly basis). As most commuters travel twice a day between home and work, we are able to estimate the effect of adverse weather employing panel data techniques, which is novel in this context. We find that for most commuters the welfare effects of adverse weather conditions are negative but small. However, the commuters' welfare costs due to rain are rather substantial during rush hours in congested areas (and up to 15 percent of the overall commuting costs).

Keywords: adverse weather, speed

JEL Classification: R14

Suggested Citation

Sabir, Muhammad and van Ommeren, Jos and van Ommeren, Jos and Koetse, Mark J. and Rietveld, Piet, Welfare Effects of Adverse Weather through Speed Changes in Car Commuting Trips (August 22, 2008). Tinbergen Institute Discussion Paper No. 2008-087/3, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1269333 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1269333

Muhammad Sabir (Contact Author)

VU University Amsterdam ( email )

De Boelelaan 1105
Amsterdam, ND North Holland 1081HV
Netherlands

Jos Van Ommeren

Tinbergen Institute ( email )

Gustav Mahlerplein 117
Amsterdam, 1082 MS
Netherlands

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) ( email )

Pleinlaan 2
http://www.vub.ac.be/
Brussels, 1050
Belgium

Mark J. Koetse

Free University of Amsterdam - Department of Spatial Economics ( email )

De Boelelaan 1105
Amsterdam, 1081 HV
Netherlands
+31(0)20 598 6168 (Phone)
+31(0)20 598 6004 (Fax)

Piet Rietveld

VU University Amsterdam - Department of Spatial Economics (Deceased)

De Boelelaan 1105
1081HV Amsterdam
Netherlands
+31 20 4446097 (Phone)
+31 20 4446004 (Fax)

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