Incorporating variable toll rates in transportation planning models

As transportation planning agencies look for cost-effective means to alleviate traffic congestion, one method is rarely investigated - variable tolls. Tolls that vary by time of day can be an effective demand management tool. One reason variable tolls are seldom used in practice is that planners cannot simply incorporate the variable toll rates into the models used to develop transportation alternatives. This research examined some of the factors involved in adding variable tolls to a transportation planning model and constructed a basic version of the variable tolling portion of that model. This basic model was then used to examine how a simple peak and off-peak variable toll rate might impact traffic flow. Not surprisingly the variable toll reduced the peaking of traffic and reduced the total congestion and delay experienced by travelers. Improving transportation planning models in this manner would allow planners to compare these model results to results of other traffic congestion reduction options and select the right mix of strategies for their area.

Incorporating variable toll rates in transportation planning models Academic Article