Assessment of the external effects of car use in urban and rural areas of modern Russia

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study is to assess and differentiate between the externalities imposed on people living in rural and urban areas of Russia. The hypothesis of the study is that people living in areas with different levels of urbanization have different views on the pros and cons of mass car ownership. As a result of this study, various types of the positive and negative external effects of mass car ownership were identified. A survey was conducted on people living in Sverdlovsk Region to assess the externalities. The survey was conducted in October 2018. For the purposes of analysis, the filled questionnaires were divided on the basis of car ownership. Of the 390 respondents aged 18 and above, 62% had a car and 38% did not. The main differentiation factor in the perception of the effects is the respondents’ place of residence. A relationship was proven between the size of the place of residence and the score that the respondents gave to the positive and negative effects of mass car ownership: the smaller the area, the higher they appreciate the positive effects and the lower score they give to the negative effects of mass car ownership. Consequently, the bigger the settlement where the respondents live, the smaller score they give to the positive effects and the bigger emphasis they place on the negative effects of mass car ownership. The assessment of externalities can be used to justify the amount of transport payments in urban and rural areas.