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SCORE Economic Impact Analysis

Angeles County, total population in the region would be
expected to decline, all other factors besides SCORE
8. Final Thoughts being equal. Efficiencies of the rail, combined with an

emphasis on addressing housing concerns, will result in
greater movement away from denser areas of the SoCal
Overall, the total impact of SCORE’s construction and region. Due to this dispersal, population-serving
implementation present a host of opportunities for industries such as management, health care and
the Southern California region. Beyond the immense education are expected to decline modestly over the long
economic benefits that the plan will offer, there is term, whereas employment in logistics, construction and
also hope that furthering the connection between finance are expected to have the largest growth.
Southern California’s five counties and the rest of the
state will further the dynamism and opportunities The positive impacts of SCORE on environmental, safety
within the region. Finally, this expansion of the and affordability issues also should be highlighted. The
regional rail network demonstrates Southern combined impacts will further expand benefits in fuel
California’s commitment to reinforcing its economic efficiency, emission reductions and decreased highway
prowess while also furthering its commitment to congestion. Reductions in rail and vehicle related
reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing fatalities are anticipated due to the improved
climate change. maintenance at facilities and increase in safety features.
Additionally, the prominence of sustainability in
The economic impacts of the initial nine years of SCORE’s expansion plans ensures that the project will
direct development spending by SCORE is estimated have overall benefits to the environmental condition of
to contribute $10.9 billion in value added in the five- the five county SoCal region. SCORE will eliminate up to
county region. Construction will be the main 51.7 MTCO2e over the life of the project and the design
industry of benefit from SCORE’s operations, as of the High-Speed Rail is expected to be an entirely
$18.9 billion in economic output will be generated electric line. Each of these measures undertaken by
and over half of all generated employment will be in SCORE is meant to reach a goal of zero emissions by
the industry. Average wages for these jobs are 2030. Each of these efforts plays a fundamental role in
expected to exceed the median household income in the estimated $150 billion that will be saved in public
Los Angeles by around $6,000 annually. The health expenditures by 2028. The improvements in air quality
care and retail industries will also see substantial and the strong relationship of low income and
employment and economic output. disadvantaged communities to the regional rail systems
ridership catchment areas will contribute to the
Furthermore, the shifts in transportation trends and project’s goal of relieving pressure on these
productivity indicate that by 2028, GDP will increase communities and creating the access to transportation
by $19.1 billion. Additional output and labor income necessary to access further opportunities. Finally,
are also estimated to increase by $31.6 billion and SCORE may also provide alleviation for chronic housing
$9.2 billion, respectively. By 2050, additional output unaffordability as it makes cheaper inland housing more
will further rise by an estimated $57.8 billion, with accessible to coastal workers.
$31.9 billion and $5.3 billion in value added and
labor income. Throughout the entire forecasted Overall, the end of each phase of SCORE’s construction
period (2018 to 2050), a forecasted 1.36 million jobs will create advancements related to the reliability and
will be created in the five-county region. The affordability of transportation within Southern
majority of the gains will be felt within Los Angeles California. Regardless of occupation or zip code, SCORE
and Orange Counties, with GDP increasing $5.6 represents a transportation system equitable to
billion and $2.6 billion, respectively, above baseline residents in each of the five counties. Tourists and other
through the completion of Midterm projects in 2028. Californians alike will see improvements as the rail line
continues to expand and facilitate easier movement
Due to the increases in ridership, productivity and within the state. As highways benefit from less
labor access are due to increase by at least 35 congestion and traffic accidents, the region will become
percent by the end of the Mid-Term completion. a healthier place for employees, residents and visitors
Despite the overall benefits for employment in Los

Institute for Applied Economics 26