Valuing the environment

This research aims to explore the local environmental costs of an increase in the speed limit on Dutch motorways by means of the Contingent Valuation method. Sixty-five households from the villages of Breukelen and Loenen aan de Vecht participated in this study. Results show that mean household distance to the motorway, presence of chronic respiratory diseases, and traffic noise annoyance are the most salient determinants of WTP and WTA for air pollution. Additionally, this research shows that household valuations of air quality –WTP = € 66.91 per year– exceed valuations for traffic noise reduction –WTP = € 29.82 per year–.