A note on the use of the Clawson method for the evaluation of recreation site benefits

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Abstract
Common M. S. (1973) A note on the use of the Clawson method for the evaluation of recreation site benefits, Reg. Studies 7, 401–406. This paper is concerned with problems which arise in the use of travel costs to estimate recreation site benefits. Earlier U.K. work in this field has used either the A.A. estimates of motor vehicle operating costs or the costs perceived by motorists (as stated in questionnaire responses). This paper argues that it is neither necessary nor desirable to use these costs, and that the appropriate costs are those revealed in recreationalists' behaviour. It is shown that these costs can be estimated from the basic data, and that using such costs considerably reduces the estimated surplus in an earlier U.K. study. The results here are shown to be consistent with a negative valuation of time spent travelling to the site. Estimated surpluses are found to be insensitive to specification changes if an external cost figure is used, but sensitive if cost is estimated from the data.