Urban Congestion Charging Acceptability: An International Comparative Study

Abstract

The congestion charging scheme is regarded as a successful measure to reduce traffic-related problems. However, low general acceptability of the public for implementing such a scheme is a barrier against its success. In this research, an online pre-designed survey was conducted in five capitals (Budapest, Tunis, Amman, Ulaanbaatar, and Damascus) to define the factors that affect congestion charging acceptability the most. The results of relationships between the studied factors like travel behavior and acceptance of the congestion charging scheme show an irregular pattern in each city. It indicates that the identity of each city and its general policy implications determine which factors significantly affect the public acceptability of congestion charging scheme. In Amman and Budapest, most of the predictors have no statistical effect on the schemes’ public acceptability. Consistent with previous researches, on the other hand, the results demonstrate that the schemes’ effectiveness is crucial and affects the acceptability significantly in all cities. At the same time, it shows that the “prior scheme knowledge” factor has a significant direct effect on the acceptability level in three cities (Damascus, Tunis, and Ulaanbaatar).

Distributional effects of urban transport policies to discourage car use

“…Lam and Small (2001 [73]) conjecture that this may be due to the tighter time constraints that women face as their schedules combine work demands with the largest part of family responsibilities. Consistent with this, Shaheen et al (2019 [72]) report that women make greater use of the lanes than men. 36 Bento et al (2020 [74]) claim that most of the willingness to pay to use HOT lanes is to avoid penalties from arriving late.…”

“…Fifth, cordon schemes may lead to shortages of parking space just outside the charging zone where motorists have an increased incentive to park their cars and complete their trips within the charged area using another mode (Rajé, 2003[71]). Sixth, cordon schemes do not deter trips that are made wholly within the charging zone, which may become more prevalent as home deliveries and ride sourcing grow in popularity (Shaheen, Stocker and Meza, 2019 [72]). Area charges such as those in London and Milan that do toll trips made inside the charging zone avoid this problem.…”

“…Their effects are similar in some ways to congestion pricing and parking restrictions. By reducing congestion and pollution, they facilitate travel by public transit and non-motorised modes, reduce injuries and deaths, and improve health for travellers and residents (Shaheen, Stocker and Meza, 2019 [72]). By reducing vehicular traffic near schools, they can enable children to travel to school independently (van Wee, 2011 [18]).…”

“…However, another efficiency-based argument is that tolls should be reduced at peak times because commuting trips are concentrated during these hours. 61 Setting high peak-period tolls may also disadvantage low-income workers who lack the flexibility to commute during off-peak hours (Shaheen, Stocker and Meza, 2019 [72]). 62 One option is to cap the toll somewhat below the maximum level dictated on pure congestion pricing grounds.…”

Impact of Different Penetration Rates of Shared Autonomous Vehicles on Traffic: Case Study of Budapest

“…On the other hand, it is important to mention here that vehicle automation will establish a new intelligent mobility which is expected to increase car ownership and raise tolerance for travel times because of eliminating the responsibility of driving, which makes AVs accessible for more people (e.g., children and disabled individuals). This increment may at some point increase congestion, raising the need for advanced demand management schemes (e.g., dynamic road pricing) ( 19–23 ).…”