Figure 2: Economic Framework for Estimating Benefits from Changes in Generalized Access Cost

This graph shows a hypothetical demand curve for facility "k."   The x axis is labeled "Number of Facility k Uses Per Period" and the y axis is labeled "Generalized Facility k Access and Use Cost."  The demand curve for facility k slopes downward from left to right.  The graph shows that when the time it takes to access facility k goes down from point P0 to P1 on the y axis due to accessibility improvements from the proposed regulations,  then the number of uses by persons with disabilities increases from point Q0 to Q1 on the x axis.  The result is an increase in user benefits.  Total user benefits are depicted as a shaded rectangular area under the demand curve bordered by the points [P0 a b P1], where point a on the demand curve is located at the intersection of P0 and Q0, and point b on the demand curve is the located at the intersection of P1 and Q1.