A new study by Todd Litman of

A new study by Todd Litman of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute finds that cities with large, well-established rail systems have lower per-capita traffic congestion costs, fewer traffic fatalities per capita, lower per-capita consumer transportation expenditures, and higher per-capita transit ridership. “Rail Transit In America: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Benefits” also says cities with large, well-established rail systems have lower operating costs per passenger mile and higher transit service cost recovery. Litman analyzed transportation system performance in 130 US cities. He concluded that “rail transit service costs are repaid several times over by reduced congestion, road and parking facility costs, reduced traffic accident costs, and consumer cost savings.” The 51-page report is posted at www.vtpi.org/railben.pdf.