In search of lost time: an estimate of the product losses in traffic congestion in Brazil

Abstract

This study shows that Brazil has obvious problems regarding urban mobility. It is possible to observe an important relationship between development and relative losses due to mobility, as the big cities in the North-East, which are the poorest in the country, are also the ones suffering more with this problem. It was shown that Rio de Janeiro has mobility problems in spite of its high development indexes in comparison to other areas in the country. In addition to the possibility of getting back R$26.73 billion per year, we could make advances in the solution of several problems in Brazil, if public transportation was improved. Due to the peculiarities of public transportation, there are several negative consequences for the population. It is worth mentioning that the results are underestimated, but even so they are significant, which indicates that investments in transportation would bring benefits for the country. Therefore, reducing the average commute time, combined with a greater offer of public transportation, would help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to improve the conditions of urban planning, to reduce social inequality, to increase productivity, among other benefits. Thus, these investments could bring social and economic benefits to the country.