Technologies That Complement Congestion Pricing—A Primer

How Technology Complements Congestion Pricing

Applications of complementary technologies, such as integrated corridor management (ICM) and active traffic management, implement a wide array of technologies that have been proven throughout the Nation and in international markets to improve travel reliability across multiple travel modes. The coupling of these approaches and technologies to congestion pricing serves to inform travelers both pre-trip and en route and guides them through the facilities that apply congestion pricing. In addition, these technologies establish continual communication with travelers; thus, they become more acclimated to the congestion-pricing approach that is implemented.

Congestion pricing requires a number of enabling technologies to inform travelers of incurred costs, to collect charges, and to manage charges. Complementary technologies further extend the impact of congestion pricing by informing travelers of their travel options, by enhancing the performance of the roadway network, and by improving the reliability of travel of those who are directly and indirectly charged. This primer explores the technologies that enable the retrofit of different transportation facilities to operate in concert with each other to further extend the benefits of congestion pricing.

At present, it is well known that demand-management strategies, including congestion pricing, have the potential to influence mode choices, choices regarding departure times, and in some cases, choices to eliminate a trip altogether, which result in better use of the available capacity of the highway network. Some studies suggest that there is an increase in speeds and vehicle and person throughput as a result of applying these strategies in concert.

One of the intents of congestion pricing is to enable individual travelers to make decisions that are system-optimal rather than user-optimal. A system-optimal decision is one in which the system as a whole benefits. A user-optimal decision is one in which only the individual traveler benefits. An individual acting solely for personal interests may produce unfavorable outcomes for the system as a whole and ultimately produce an even less-favorable personal outcome.

Influencing a traveler’s behavior involves conveying guiding messages, controlling movement, and imposing regulatory restrictions. Complementary technologies apply these guiding, controlling, and regulatory aspects with the aim of achieving an equilibrium that results in streamlined and reliable travel. This sensibility is reflected in the United Kingdom’s Commission for Integrated Transport:

It appears common sense to conclude that if new technology is to be widely accepted by users its introduction must not be seen to bring with it onerous and intrusive responsibilities that monopolise additional time and concentration of the driver. Instead it must have an enabling effect, allowing the driver a seamless and convenient journey.¹

Coordinated approaches that use complementary technologies further promote trip reliability. The ability to dynamically manage recurrent and non-recurrent congestion based on prevailing traffic conditions yields benefits to individual travelers and to the effectiveness and efficiency of the facility. Coordinated technology approaches, such as active traffic management and ICM, help establish a positive cycle in which travelers derive personal benefit, accept congestion pricing, and observe system improvements in terms of performance reliability and improved alternative travel options.