Technological innovations have contributed over the years to an increasing stock of durable goods – those products that are not immediately consumed but provide a stream of services over a long period of time. Indeed, virtually every household in a modern economy owns a refrigerator, a personal computer and an automobile. Given the inter-temporal nature
During most of the twentieth century, highways, tunnels and bridges were viewed as public goods that had to be provided by the government.By the end of the century, however, chronic budgetary problems had led governments to allow participation of private firms in financing, building,and operating infrastructure projects. For example, worldwide private invest-ment in transport infrastructure
