Urban rivers and East Coast beaches: two essays on non-market valuation using the travel cost method
Date
2024
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
The focus of this discussion leans heavily into the non-market valuation, particularly of environmental resources and amenities. Understanding and integrating the value of these environmental amenities in decision making process is a must for sustainable development. The studies of this dissertation attempts to estimate value of water quality improvement on a urban river (Brandywine River) and beach recreation on the East Coast of the United States. ☐ In the first study, we estimate the value of water quality improvements for recreational activities on and near the Brandywine Creek in Delaware. We divide water-based recreational activities into two groups: water-contact and non-water-contact. We then consider the behavioral change of the recreationists in each group when faced with water quality improvements posed in a stated preference (contingent behavior) survey. We use five common physical attributes of water quality in the contingent behavior analysis: water clarity, catch rate of fish, safety of eating fish, safety for swimming, and ecological health. The survey was constructed in such a way that each of these attributes of water quality are valued. The per-trip value for water quality improvements ranged from $4 to $63 for contact use and from $4 to $29 for non-contact use depending on which and how many attributes of water quality improve. Even though we measure sizable benefits, rough costs estimates appear to make it difficult for incremental improvements to exceed costs unless attribute improvement is widespread. ☐ In the second study, we provide a statistical profile of beach use on East Coast of the United States (beaches from Massachusetts to South Carolina) using survey data from a random sample of beach goers from the twenty states nearest to these beaches. We reported details on demographics and trip taking behavior and then provide a set of per-trip values for day, short overnight, and long overnight trips. We also present consumer surplus access values by state. These are done in using a random utility model with alternative-specific-constant models for day, short overnight and long overnight model separately. We also estimate a model that combines the trips and a second-stage model that allows us to explore the effect of specific attributes on beach use. And finally, we include a contingent behavior validity check. Per-trip values for day, short overnight, and long overnight trips are $19, $91, and $333.
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Keywords
Beach use value, Cost benefit, Environmental valuation, Non-marketed valuation, Travel cost, Water quality improvement