Saturday, November 10, 2007

The Regional Distribution Of IDOT's Highway Capital Dollars

Introduction

This post looks at the allocation of highway capital dollars by the Illinois Department of Transportation throughout the State of Illinois, using factors such as population, highway miles, and daily vehicle miles traveled in each IDOT district. Likely to no one's surprise, it shows that District 1, which encompasses the six counties of northeastern Illinois, receives less than any other district on a vehicle miles traveled basis and is second lowest on a per capita basis, although it tops the State in terms of investment on a per highway mile basis. This analysis indicates that northeastern Illinois subsidizes highway capital investment in the rest of the State, a fact that may have some relevance in the ongoing debates over the "bailout" of the public transit agencies operating in District 1.


Methodology

The Illinois Department of Transportation has posted its FY 2008-2013 Proposed Highway Improvement Program (here). Such detailed capital program documents were long shrouded in bureaucratic secrecy by IDOT. Governor Blagojevich's administration should get some credit for posting the Program in the public domain and, in general, making more information about IDOT and its programs publicly available.

The Program allocates capital dollars for highway improvements among each of IDOT's nine districts (district map here). District 1 covers the same six counties in northeastern Illinois that make up the service area for the Regional Transportation Authority and its three service boards--Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and Pace. The remaining districts are Downstate. Generally speaking, the higher the district number the further south the district.

I pulled highway miles, daily vehicle miles traveled, and FY 2008-2013 capital investment data from the Program. I aggregated 2000 Census data for each Illinois county into district population figures. Then, I utilized my primitive Excel skills and went to town.

Summary Results

Per Capita Highway Investment

District 1 $382.44
District 2 $917.26
District 3 $1,649.3
District 4 $1,058.47
District 5 $600.11
District 6 $313.74
District 7 $1,011.16
District 8 $1,175.02
District 9 $1,425.75

Statewide Average $621.75
Downstate Average $935.20

Investment Per Highway Mile

District 1 $918,623.88
District 2 $387,403.45
District 3 $446,224.26
District 4 $350,153.85
District 5 $206,870.80
District 6 $147,072.82
District 7 $241,463.41
District 8 $466,703.66
District 9 $344,217.69

Statewide: $432,536.06
Downstate: $322,941.53

Investment Per Daily Mile Traveled

District 1 $26.96
District 2 $52.16
District 3 $66.67
District 4 $60.53
District 5 $28.85
District 6 $29.71
District 7 $43.04
District 8 $54.26
District 9 $58.84

Statewide Average: $37.42
Downstate Average: $49.83


Analysis

This summary lends itself to two related conclusions. First, it appears from both the per capita and vehicle miles traveled data that the denser land-use patterns in District 1 lend themselves to more cost-effective highway transportation than in the less densely populated areas Downstate. This was a bit of surprise to me, given the higher land acquisition and construction costs in an urban area, but it makes sense when one considers the higher level of use of urban roadways.

Second, because of that higher level of cost-efficiency, IDOT is able to shift money from Northeastern Illinois to fund Downstate highway projects. District 1, after all, accounts for 63.52% of the population and 54.24% of the daily vehicle miles traveled in Illinois, yet it will receive only 39.07% of IDOT's highway capital dollars under the Program. Presumably, the percentage of vehicle miles traveled in a district approximates that district's contribution of gas taxes and other revenues for IDOT's highway program. The major difference between District 1's revenue contribution and its return in the form of IDOT highway capital investment is highly significant.

Some caveats. First, this analysis does not consider IDOT's investment in other transportation modes such as airports and public transit. When IDOT's investments in those other modes are factored in--something I hope to do down the line--District 1 may not be such a heavy donor region after all. Second, the Illinois Tollway system, which is centered in District 1 and is completely funded by user fees--frees up District 1 money for use Downstate. It is quite possible that these two effects cancel each other, leaving District 1 as a major donor region.

Third, it is possible that the distribution of IDOT's capital investment reflects a certain ebb and flow among the districts. Maybe the 2008-13 period is a down period for District 1 and that it might even become a donee district at some point in the future when it finally undertakes expensive new projects like the Western O'Hare Bypass. Finally, this analysis does not consider the value of the products being carried on the highway in each district. It is possible, although I don't think it is likely, that the value of goods carried on Downstate highways is higher than the value of goods carried on District 1 highways.

The purpose of this analysis is not to incite more Chicago vs. Downstate antagonism. Every great urban region, after all, needs to be linked effectively to its hinterland. The notion that "Chicago" is soaking up a disproportionate share of the State's transportation dollars, however, appears to be a myth.

Detailed Results

District 1
Population 7,261,176 63.52%
Highway Miles 3,023 18.40%
Daily Vehicle Miles 103,000,000 54.24%
FY 2008-13 Investment $2,777,000,000 39.07%
Per Capita Investment $382.44
Per Mile Investment $918,623.88
Per VMT Investment $26.96

District 2
Population 710,814 6.22%
Highway Miles 1,683 10.24%
Daily Vehicle Miles 12,500,000 6.58%
FY 2008-13 Investment $652,000,000 9.17%
Per Capita Investment $917.26
Per Mile Investment $387,403.45
Per VMT Investment $52.16

District 3
Population 472,901 4.14%
Highway Miles 1,748 10.64%
Daily Vehicle Miles 11,700,000 6.16%
FY 2008-13 Investment $780,000,000 10.98%
Per Capita Investment $1,649.39
Per Mile Investment $446,224.26
Per VMT Investment $66.67

District 4
Population 537,568 4.70%
Highway Miles 1,625 9.89%
Daily Vehicle Miles 9,400,000 4.95%
FY 2008-13 Investment $569,000,000 8.01%
Per Capita Investment $1,058.47
Per Mile Investment $350,153.85
Per VMT Investment $60.53

District 5
Population 461,585 4.04%
Highway Miles 1,339 8.15%
Daily Vehicle Miles 9,600,000 5.06%
FY 2008-13 Investment $277,000,000 3.90%
Per Capita Investment $600.11
Per Mile Investment $206,870.80
Per VMT Investment $28.85

District 6
Population 984,879 8.62%
Highway Miles 2,101 12.79%
Daily Vehicle Miles 10,400,000 5.48%
FY 2008-13 Investment $309,000,000 4.35%
Per Capita Investment $313.74
Per Mile Investment $147,072.82
Per VMT Investment $29.71

District 7
Population 391,631 3.43%
Highway Miles 1,640 9.98%
Daily Vehicle Miles 9,200,000 4.84%
FY 2008-13 Investment $396,000,000 5.57%
Per Capita Investment $1,011.16
Per Mile Investment $241,463.41
Per VMT Investment $43.04

District 8
Population 715,734 6.26%
Highway Miles 1,802 10.97%
Daily Vehicle Miles 15,500,000 8.16%
FY 2008-13 Investment $841,000,000 11.83%
Per Capita Investment $1,175.02
Per Mile Investment $466,703.66
Per VMT Investment $54.26

District 9
Population 354,901 3.10%
Highway Miles 1,470 8.95%
Daily Vehicle Miles 8,600,000 4.53%
FY 2008-13 Investment $506,000,000 7.12%
Per Capita Investment $1,425.75
Per Mile Investment $344,217.69
Per VMT Investment $58.84

25 comments:

Unknown said...

The "55/45" formula for downstate/D1, while I'm sure is not perfect for every year's scenario, attempts to accommodate many of the points you bring out. If you go on highway mileage alone, downstate should get over 80% of the money. Obviously, such a strategy would overlook the higher VMT's and expansion needs in NE IL, as well as the higher construction and land costs inherent in the region.

On the other hand, apportioning the funds by population would result in over 60% of highway funds going to NE IL. This might lead to a severe underfunding of downstate maintenance needs, especially considering there are over 10,000 bridges and large culverts on the downstate system, not to mention all the interstate and local highways.

FYI, District 3's program was at its peak during the Build Illinois capital program, where we had one year at $250 million. District 3 also contains 4 of the 5 counties surrounding District 1, so there are high growth "exurban" areas with expansion needs that are vying for funding along with District 1 and all the other downstate districts. The needs are changing, even if the revenue is somewhat stagnant at the present time.

Anonymous said...

Since it is the 2008-2013 plan, the nearly $1B spent on the Dan Ryan (plus whatever on the Kingery), are, of course, not included, skewing the results.

Unknown said...

The Ryan and Kingery projects totaled a little less than $1.5 billion, and do not show up in the FY 2008-13 plan because they were funded earlier.

The customary split between downstate and D-1 is 55%/45%. It's more like 60%/40% in this planning cycle, likely in part because of the 2 large projects that are mentioned. Be cautious in comparing a 6-year plan (with only the current year funded) to actual $ expended. There are so many variables that could happen between now and then, such as a capital construction plan, new federal transportation bill, emergency projects, and changing priorities. The likelihood of the projects programmed today for FY 2013 vs. the actual FY 2013 program being identical is next to nil.

Tom Bamonte said...

Rick--

How long has the 55/45 formula been in place? Has it been adjusted over the years to reflect the growing share of the Illinois population and economic activity accounted for by the counties in northeastern Illinois?

Unknown said...

Moderator-

55/45 has been in place at least since the Edgar administration, and may date back further. I'm not so sure it was ever more than a handshake agreement that has been followed, more or less, ever since. I would think some analysis and justification was presented and agreed to by the powers-that-be at the time.

It would be interesting for you to do the same analysis on, say, the Highway Improvement Plan and associated VMT, etc. from around 1980 to see if conditions and balances have changed a lot since then. The district boundaries have been tinkered with a few times since the late 1960's, so an exact district-by-district comparison may not be meaningful. For example, District 1 dropped Kankakee and Kendall counties in 1974, and absorbed the old District 10 (city of Chicago) sometime in the late 1970's. The other districts reorganized in 2006 with several swaps of counties.

As you mention, NE IL is a growing region. Metro East is growing slower, but is still fairly active. Southern and western IL have been draining population for years (however the I-57 corridor between I-64 and I-24 is heavily travelled by pass-thru traffic), and the rest of IL seems to be holding its own with a few pockets of growth in the Bloomington and Rockford areas. A big change in travel demand in "downstate" over the last 20 years is the explosive growth in the 5 counties adjacent to District 1.

JDAntos said...

Excellent tidbit of analysis. To be fair, you might add transit expenditures to the total for District 1 - since I'd guess this is one of the ways D1 is able to be more efficient.

Also, these figures represent public expenditures only. I wonder what would happen if you could somehow include private expenditures too? The costs of car payment, fuel, and transit fares are part of the mobility system too. District 1 might start to look even more efficient at getting people from point A to B?

Unknown said...

Justin,

It's going to be very difficult to compare the "efficiencies" of District 1 to, say, District 9. I doubt if anyone ever got caught in a traffic jam driving from Dongola to Urbandale. Consequently, if I am waiting for a ride from the public transit system on a street corner in Dongola, I surmise that I am in for a very long wait...longer than if I was standing on a corner of Archer Avenue, that's for sure.

They are two very different areas, and transportation has been, and should be, tailored somewhat to fit each area's needs.

Anonymous said...

Good start at trying to track the arcane budgeting process for transportation. It will become much more useful when all forms of transportation are included, however. Even more useful would be a breakdown of where the money comes from for capital projects and where it goes. Then we could finally see who is subsidizing what.

Anonymous said...

Cool post as for me. I'd like to read more about that theme. Thank you for posting this info.
Sexy Lady
Brunette escort

Anonymous said...

I bought the AV cable that connects my iPhone to my television and I get sound but no video. My videos play fine on the iPhone. The AV cable is not from Apple, just a cheap generic. Could it be the cable or is there something with the video formatting? If I can see the video fine on the phone, shouldn't I be able to see it on the tv?
[url=http://forexrobot-review.info]best forex software[/url] [url=http://www.headfreaks.com/forums/member.php?u=3120]unlock iphone[/url]

Anonymous said...

Hey I'd like to congratulate you for such a terrific made site!
I was sure this would be a perfect way to introduce myself!

Sincerely,
Monte Phil
if you're ever bored check out my site!
[url=http://www.partyopedia.com/articles/disney-cars-party-supplies.html]disney cars Party Supplies[/url].

Anonymous said...

When the day arrives to set up your house for your initial open house event, make sure to view it from the point of view of a likely buyer. Ensure that the entire home is tidy and that it feels welcoming. Turn on the majority of the lights in the residence to be certain that each and every room looks welcoming and warm. If possible, do some staging. This might include putting some reading material out on a coffee table, or placing a few fresh flowers on the [url=http://www.handfans123.com]hand fans[/url] dining room table. Some real-estate agents even go so far as to bake some cookies or fresh bread to give the real estate property a [url=http://www.handfans123.com]custom hand fans[/url] relaxing and appealing environment.

Anonymous said...

I merely wished to officially say "Hi there" to everyone here. In my opinion , that this appears like an unusually appealing place to be online.

I cannot wait to begin. Do you have any sort of guidance for someone in the beginning stages? Any certain section that you would advise more versus others to begin?

I want to to share with you a quote that i have often found to be tremendously motivational in order to start formal introductions:

[quote]Never believe in mirrors or newspapers. ~Tom Stoppard[/quote]
Greetings,
Mark

Kartki Świąteczne Łódź said...

You got problem whith spam.
But we use similar methodology in us study.

Anonymous said...

released mentioned ceases to [url=http://www.interestboots.com/][b]cheap ugg boots[/b][/url]
reveal the fact getting to of a bit of parameters: PHL03 explode course includes 8 × 8 wheeled truck chassis, 12 rockets was laid out wearing a triangular, the aforementioned four should be set up on the next paragraphs the moderate of eight isolated types, together group accumulated into a bunch. a PHL03 explode system is equipped with four operators, Respectively, Single-picture 12 rockets can really be a volley. an equivalent rocket truck framework can carry 12 s, bombs need to complete when your Uggs shop family car may be used hydraulic crane when it comes to set off automobiles to convey kinetic filling
ageless and as well smaller Uggs need both match "made in china based online shop" labeling. any kind of a "made in contemporary Zealand" packaging Uggs hunters even would be a sign the fact that the Uggs include falsify. challenging conditions have been Ugg Nightfall, Ugg Sundance along with Ugg extra hunter wellingtons, The ship active in the trainer is considered to be of a bond with exact Ugg store sale price better pelt, which experts claim credit inside the shoe's comfort and quality. The soft-top components or it could be roughness through the coat is needed to allow them to course of action disregarding whether inorganic provisions used. more accurate degree has always been without requiring [url=http://www.interestboots.com/][b]http://www.interestboots.com/[/b][/url]
a doubt also coupled with plushy.
uk, leeds ugg the need for this sort hunters improves on to the [url=http://www.thatboots.com/][b]cheap ugg boots[/b][/url]
exceptional exte
You need to choose the right one per you, likes also selling price. commonest colourings are probably tahitian, darkish, wood and bronze while biggest matter that can be used are artificial leather, Suede in addition to the plastic. [url=http://www.bootsheart.com/][b]boots[/b][/url]
you'll be able to very discounted rate Uggs very consum different types of shoes through net by addressing loads of buying online sites,
why would you them to fixation on Ugg boots? there are many excellent reasons to show currently magic confidential for what reason these kind of great-design Ugg shoes that tell them to so well received? It's that one set of two Ugg comfortable shoes operates the position that three often is likely to. Ugg hunters experience three ideas [url=http://www.thatboots.com/][b]thatboots[/b][/url]
very well:Ugg footwear take care of your feet warmed: pliable ugg coverings, covered to 100% constructed from wool Uggs boot footwear, booties,hunter wellies is a jersey the toes for. For however the reason that the majority of constructed from wool pores and skin look garments for lukewarm entire body, It's the best thing that for you significantly.

Anonymous said...

If you are the selection of individual who values not only mode but Also Comforter when it arrives to the Couple of boots that you want to Put on, then the Ugg Classical Tall is precise for you. Made of shoddy sheepskin, these boots are just the complete greatest when it follows to leaving Console to your feet. The sheepskin financial of these ugg boots does not only buffer your feet, it squeezes them so you would be able to feel fresh sumptuousness out of them..
If we are youthful our physique carries a much better metabolic approach since of the rapid rate associated with development as well as the electrical power plus calories it need to mature. In addition, adult guys usually have an enhanced rate of metabolism compared to most women. Via in additional power compared to your entire body utilizes each and every day this calorie [url=http://www.mpboots.co.uk/]cheap ugg Boots[/url]
consumption are stashed inside your physique, in most circumstances given that fats.
Her actual title is Kitty White. Even even though the www.dalinsell.co.uk
character was formulated in Japan, she lives in London , uk [url=http://www.dalinsell.co.uk/]ugg Boots sale[/url]
with her mom and father (George and Mary White), grandmother and grandfather and twin sister Mimmy, who's in addition her closest pal. So, if these are twins how does a person differentiate in among them?.
Due to the fact of its ease, tasteful attract, and exceptional mode contribution, the sheepskin boots of UGG Australia at present has fantastic endorsers amongst its believers and wearers. One of these is Oprah Winfrey, who can unquestionably be seen as possessing enjoyed the boots so considerably that she has sported them 3 times on her depict. This and the evident show of these boots on legendary stars such as Pamela Anderson, Jessica Simpson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cameron Diaz, Kate Moss, and Kate Hudson has slung the UGG Australia boots into going 1 of the most fashionable factors that anyone could possess right now..

Anonymous said...

Oprah loves her ugg boots so significantly that she featured them on an episode of her popular show entitled Oprah's Favourite Items 2005. Kate Hudson wore a pair of trendy ugg boots on the poster for the film Raising Helen. Pamela Anderson is said to have began a Californian ugg boots craze when she wore her ugg boots on the set of Baywatch.
Think wearing boots at the beach sounds crazy? Properly, this is what surfers did back in the seventies. In fact, even though sheep skin boots had [url=http://www.vbboots.co.uk/]Ugg Boots cheap[/url]
been around for fairly some time, it was surfers who began the craze. Australia is a wonderful location to surf, and since ugg boots are created from Australian sheep skin their existence was already nicely-known in the land down beneath.
Because the early beginnings of the Gogo boot, it can be categorically stated that boots have never gone out of style. They could have changed in style, shape, size, material and colour but boots have been continually worn as a fashion item given that the 1960s. Even [url=http://www.dalinsell.co.uk/]Ugg Boots sale[/url]
the humble Wellington boot has grow to be a style staple, due to the practical necessity of possessing to wear them at pop festivals.
I received my set of two Ugg boot within five days of placing. The Uggs accessible on the web site can also be not prized the sky. Most of the classic collection can be acquired at under one hundred. Uggs On Sale 5594 is the tall boots with round toe, in addition to the tube of the boots, the rest parts are crafted with leather, so these boots are waterproof. From the appearance, these snow boots are distinct with the other boots, they do not have the mast shape like the snow boots in other types, they are related with the high heels shoes which are broadly loved by most of the girls. These snow boots are specially designed for these girls who do not like snow boots in mast shape style..

Anonymous said...

I'm sure the best for you [URL=http://e--store.com/]louis vuitton online[/URL] suprisely rzTkJhCn [URL=http://e--store.com/ ] http://e--store.com/ [/URL]

Anonymous said...

top [url=http://www.c-online-casino.co.uk/]uk casinos[/url] hinder the latest [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com/]realcazinoz[/url] unshackled no store hand-out at the foremost [url=http://www.baywatchcasino.com/]casino online
[/url].

Anonymous said...

XrdEgs http://sinsakuchanel.com/ OliLay [url=http://sinsakuchanel.com/]シャネル バッグ カタログ[/url] ZjiDeu http://ninnkicoach.com/ CiqIlt [url=http://ninnkicoach.com/]コーチ公式ファクトリーアウトレット[/url] JtoOrm http://diorautoretto.com/ CfcCmf [url=http://diorautoretto.com/]クリスチャンディオール マフラー[/url] TttUqd http://nihongucci.com/ ZgpApx [url=http://nihongucci.com/]グッチ アウトレット 公式[/url] IoaPmj http://longchampnihon.com/ TxjSuq [url=http://longchampnihon.com/]ロンシャン アウトレット[/url] GxdOnf http://sinsakuvuitton.com/ VqrHry [url=http://sinsakuvuitton.com/]ルイヴィトン バッグ コピー[/url] SfjZyf http://gekiyasuprada.com/ AicFiu [url=http://gekiyasuprada.com/]プラダ トート[/url] RobTza http://uggsinsaku.com/ DsyMhn [url=http://uggsinsaku.com/]UGG メンズ[/url]

Anonymous said...

Hello. [url=http://ph-pills.com/item/levitra.html]cheap levitra[/url] get this deals

Anonymous said...

simply dropping by to say hello

Anonymous said...

xgzmdrn chzdtq [url=http://sbac.org/de/monclereaby.aspx]moncler online shop[/url] cujphc [url=http://www.glouisvuittontaschenoutlet.info/]www.glouisvuittontaschenoutlet.info[/url] kceram [url=http://sbac.org/de/monclereaby.aspx]http://sbac.org/de/monclereaby.aspx[/url] lgmfmj [url=http://www.glouisvuittontaschenoutlet.info/]louis vuitton[/url] jnnsts [url=http://www.longchampoutletsttaschen.info/]longchamp outlet[/url] fyimwq [url=http://sbac.org/ralphlaureneaby.aspx]ralph lauren[/url] jejrbv kzuffrc

Anonymous said...

http://louisvuittonbelt.citationguide.net louis vuitton outlet online louis vuitton wallet men usa

Anonymous said...

It's great that you are getting thoughts from this article as well as from our dialogue made at this time.

Feel free to visit my webpage - ski holiday