Outdoor Recreation Net Benefits of Rail-Trails

Abstract

Net economic values were estimated with the individual travel cost method for user samples from three rail-trails in geographically diverse regions of the U.S. Estimates of rail-trail demands were derived from count data and continuous data models. Model specifications included travel costs, activity variables, and other user group characteristics. In general, recreation users valued rail-trails located in rural areas more highly than in suburban areas. Consumer surplus trip values were relatively stable across recreation demand models.

KEYWORDS:

• Recreation modeling
• trails
• recreation demand
• recreation benefits