AECOM used US and Canadian TREDIS models to provide an economic impact analysis to inform their preliminary economic assessment of Washington State DOT’s economic development potential by investing in ultra high-speed ground transportation (UHSGT) in the Cascadia Innovation Corridor. The purpose of this cross-border study “is to examine (at an initial high level) potential technology, organizational, and financing and funding alternatives as well as possible economic benefits to the megaregion from providing access to major employment hugs and growing industries through UHSGT. This study identifies opportunities to increase economic and social interconnections within the megaregion. It examines, at a high level, the potential for development of UHSGT between Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, with a possible passenger rail connection to Spokane, Washington, and extension of high-speed rail south of Portland to Sacrament, California to connect to the proposed California high-speed rail network.” [section 1]
“The TREDIS model builds on IMPLAN and was selected for this analysis due to its ability to estimate the wider economic benefits (agglomeration). It is widely used in practice and represents a best practice for this type of analysis.” [section 5]
