Thomas Light

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Associate Economist; Professor, Pardee RAND Graduate School
Santa Monica Office

Education

Ph.D. and M.S. in economics, Cornell University; B.S. in economics and accounting, University of Oregon

Overview

Biography

Thomas Light is an associate economist at the RAND Corporation. His research has used economic analysis and modeling to identify ways to better address urban highway congestion, manage energy use, structure electricity markets, and assess climate change policies. He has also recently been involved in defense acquisition and logistics research for the U.S. Air Force. In addition to his research activities at RAND, Light teaches public finance at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. Light received his Ph.D. in economics from Cornell University.

Research Focus

Recent Projects

  • Evaluation of options for managing spent nuclear fuel
  • Analysis of equity issues associated with congestion pricing
  • Assessment of military acquisition protests

Selected Publications

L. Ecola and T. Light, Equity and Congestion Pricing: A Review of the Evidence, RAND Corporation (TR-680), 2009

N. Burger, L. Ecola, T. Light, and M. Toman, "In Search of Effective and Viable Policies to Reduce Greenhouse Gases," Environment, 51(3):8-18, 2009

T. Light, "Optimal Highway Design and User Welfare Under Value Pricing," Journal of Urban Economics, 66(2):116-124, 2009

L. Dixon, P. Sorensen, M. Wachs, M. Collins, M. Hanson, A. Kofner, T. Light, M. Madsen, L. Marsh, A. Overton, H. Shatz, B. Weatherford, Balancing Environment and Development: Costs, Revenues, and Benefits of the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan, RAND Corporation (MG-816-RCA), 2008

P. Sorensen, M. Wachs, E. Min, A. Kofner, L. Ecola, M. Hanson, A. Yoh, T. Light, J. Griffin, Moving Los Angeles: Short-Term Policy Options for Improving Transportation, RAND Corporation (MG-748-JAT/METRO/MCLA), 2008

Honors & Awards

  • Dwight D. Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship, Federal Highway Administration

Publications

Advancing Aeronautics: A Decision Framework for Selecting Research Agendas - 2011

Making Congestion Pricing Equitable - 2011

Pricing Strategies for NASA Wind-Tunnel Facilities - 2011

Ending F-22A Production: Costs and Industrial Base Implications of Alternative Options - 2010

Managing Spent Nuclear Fuel: Strategy Alternatives and Policy Implications - 2010

Does Imported Oil Threaten U.S. National Security? - 2009

Equity and Congestion Pricing: A Review of the Evidence - 2009

Evaluating Options for U.S. Greenhouse-Gas Mitigation Using Multiple Criteria - 2009

Imported Oil and U.S. National Security - 2009

In Search of Effective and Viable Policies to Reduce Greenhouse Gases - 2009

Natural Gas and Israel's Energy Future: A Strategic Analysis Under Conditions of Deep Uncertainty - 2009

Natural Gas and Israel's Energy Future: Planning Amid Deep Uncertainty - 2009

Natural Gas and Israel's Energy Future: Near-Term Decisions from a Strategic Perspective - 2009

Optimal Highway Design and User Welfare Under Value Pricing - 2009

Balancing Environment and Development: Costs, Revenues, and Benefits of the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan - 2008

Moving Los Angeles: Short-Term Policy Options for Improving Transportation - 2008

Reducing Traffic Congestion in Los Angeles - 2008