Publications > Congestion Pricing: A Primer

Please refer to the updated version "Congestion Pricing - A Primer: Overview" (Publication Number: FHWA-HOP-08-039)

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Congestion Pricing

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A PRIMER


December 2006

Table of Contents


  1. THE CONGESTION PROBLEM
    Costs of Congestion
    Alarming Trends
    Causes of Congestion
  1. WHAT IS CONGESTION PRICING?
    Technology for Congestion Pricing
    Variably Priced Lanes
    Variable Tolls on Roadways
    Cordon Pricing
    Area-wide Pricing
    Use of Revenues from Pricing
  1. BENEFITS OF CONGESTION PRICING
    Benefits to Transit Riders and Carpoolers
    Benefits to Drivers
    Benefits to Businesses
  1. EXAMPLES IN THE U.S.
    HOT Lanes on I-15 in San Diego, CA
    SR 91 Express Lanes in Orange County, CA
    Bridge Pricing in Lee County, Florida
    Oregon's Mileage-Based Pricing Test
  1. EXAMPLES FROM ABROAD
    Central London
    Singapore
    Stockholm City Center
    Nationwide Truck Pricing in Germany
  1. FEDERAL POLICY AND PROGRAMS ON PRICING
    Federal Legislation
    U.S. DOT's Congestion Relief Initiative
  1. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
    How does electronic tolling work?
    How does dynamic pricing work?
    How do out-of-town motorists who don't have a transponder pay?
    Wouldn't electronic tolling invade a motorist’s privacy?
    How much is the charge?
    Isn't pricing inequitable towards low-income motorists?
    Isn't congestion pricing "double taxation"?
    Won't adjacent free roads get more congested due to diverted traffic?
    Do people have flexibility to change the time when they travel?

For More Information Contact:

Patrick DeCorla-Souza, Program Manager
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Transportation Management, HOTM
400 Seventh St. SW, Room 3404
Washington, DC 20590

Telephone: (202) 366-4076
E-mail: Patrick.Decorla-Souza@dot.gov

Publication Number: FHWA-HOP-07-074

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