Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Road user congestion pricing has been proposed by economists for more than four
decades. Many economists view congestion pricing as the best way of relating user
charges to the total cost of using, building, operating and maintaining the facility.
They see congestion pricing as the most viable approach to reducing congestion.
Early studies by Vickery and Walters- among others- provided the conceptual
and theoretical framework. These studies attempted to quantify the levels of con-
gestion charges through econometric analysis [
2
4
].
The economic solution to congestion, according to Lyle Fitch and Associates, is
-
“
to impose charges for driving in congested hours high enough to keep out tempo-
rarily those whose driving is least important as measured by their willingness to pay
for it. Prices should vary according to the level of demand. Thus they should be higher
for peak than off-peak hours. If revenues exceed costs, the excess should be used to
provide additional road space up to the point where supply meets demand
”
[
3
].
19.3.1.2 Purpose and Objectives
The two main reasons for congestion pricing are (1) reducing congestion and (2)
generating revenues to
finance transportation investments. Figure
19.1
shows how
these relate to speci
c highway and transit treatments and their effect on enhancing
regional competitiveness, economic opportunity, quality of life and sustainability
[
5
].
More speci
cally, the purpose of congestion pricing is to reduce road traf
c
demand in congested networks of
fixed capacity. Typical objectives of congestion
pricing programs include:
Achieving economic ef
ciency by balancing user costs with external costs that
users impose on each other
Maximizing the person or vehicle throughput of roadways and networks
Providing reliable travel times during peak travel hours
Encouraging shorter trip lengths and increasing transit use
Increasing the use of underutilized HOT lanes.
19.3.1.3 Types of Applications
The terms
pricing are used interchangeably in the
literature. However, because drivers face different conditions involving different
choices (e.g., choosing to pay or not the charge on congested networks vs. choosing
to use a priced facility offering improved service) a more descriptive de
“
congestion
”
pricing and
“
value
”
nition for
each term is suggested below:
Congestion pricing
is the price charged drivers for using congested roads. This
condition
requires all
drivers to pay the charge for using the roads during peak
periods. Those who do not pay the charge are forced to use alternative times,
modes, or destinations for their trip.
