Knowledge Resources

The report ITS Regional Integration: Task 6 (Pricing ITS) - Subtask 4 (Final Report), published by the Federal Highway Administration, examined electronic congestion pricing as a type of road charging designed to reduce traffic congestion. Several examples of international programs implemented between 1975 and 2006 were examined to compare the overall benefits and costs of major road pricing schemes. In addition to synthesis findings, the report discussed a number of key engineering challenges and institutional issues.

FINDINGS

ITS can improve the operational aspects of congestion pricing with minimal intrusion on traffic flow. The following data excerpted from Table 1 of the source highlight findings from several case studies that show congestion charging can improve traffic flow and increase the efficiency of public transportation systems.

Table 1 (Source: Button,K.J and H. Vega, Pricing Intelligent Transportation Systems: A Review, Report No. DTFH61-06-H-00014, U.S. DOT FHWA. 2007.)

City	Traffic effects	Congestion effects	Public transport effects
Singapore, 1975-19981	- 44%; -31% by 1988	Average speed increased from 19 to 36 km/h	Modal Shift, from 33% to 46% trips to work by city bus, 69% in 1983
Trondheim, 1991	-10 %	n.a.	+7% city bus patronage
Singapore, 19982	-10 to -15%	Optimized road usage, 20 to 30 km/h roads, 45 to 65 km/h expressways	Slight shift to city bus
Rome, 2001	-20 %	n.a.	+ 6%
London, 2003	-18% 2003 vs 2002, 0% 2004 versus 2003	-30%. 1.6 min/km typical delay 2003, 2004 versus 2002 (2.3 min/km)	+18% during peak hours bus patronage 2003, +12% in 2004
London, 20053	Small net reductions - 4% 2005/06	- 22%. 1.8 min/km typical delay	bus patronage steady
Stockholm, 2006	- 30% 2006 versus 2004	-30 to -50% journey time	+ 6%

¹Although called Area Licensing Scheme, the system was a cordon toll rather than an area license.
² Electronic fee collection introduced.
³ New rate introduced.