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Congestion Pricing — A Primer: Overview

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Contact Information: Operations Feedback at OperationsFeedback@dot.gov.

Table of Contents

Image. The cover of the print version of this publication.
  • The Primer Series and the Purpose of This Volume
  • The Congestion Problem
    • Costs of Traffic Congestion
    • Alarming Trends
    • Causes of Congestion
  • What Is Congestion Pricing?
    • Technology for Congestion Pricing
    • Variably Priced Lanes
    • Variable Tolls on Roadways
    • Zone-Based or Cordon Pricing
    • Area-Wide or System-Wide Pricing
    • Use of Revenues from Pricing
  • Benefits of Congestion Pricing
    • Benefits to Transit Riders and Carpoolers
    • Benefits to Drivers
    • Benefits to Businesses
  • Examples in the United States
    • HOT Lanes on I-15 in San Diego, California
    • SR 91 Express Lanes in Orange County, California
    • Bridge Pricing in Lee County, Florida
    • Oregon's Mileage-Based Pricing Test
  • Examples From Abroad
    • Central London
    • Stockholm City Center
    • Singapore
    • Nationwide Truck Pricing in Germany
  • Federal Policy and Programs on Pricing
    • Federal Legislation
    • U.S. DOT's Congestion Relief Initiative
  • 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 toward 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?
    • Will the public accept congestion pricing?
    • Will congestion pricing lead to privatization of highways?
    • Won't congestion pricing involve high costs for implementation and operation?
    • What effect will congestion pricing have on the quality of the environment?
  • References

For more information, contact:

Patrick DeCorla-Souza
Office of Innovative Program Delivery
Federal Highway Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, DC 20590
Tel: 202-366-4076
E-mail: patrick.decorla-souza@dot.gov

Office of Transportation Management
Federal Highway Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, DC 20590
Tel: 202-366-6726

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October 2008

FHWA-HOP-08-039

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