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Value Pricing Helps Reduce Congestion
by John T. Berg and Felicia B. Young Have you ever been stuck in traffic? Many of us have, and we all know the frustration created by traffic congestion. All too often, it is a daily occurrence that adds commuting time to our workday, and in many locations, it seems to be getting worse. Now there is a federal pilot program that is exploring a new way to reduce congestion using a method called "value pricing" that relies on market forces. Value pricing would increase travel options by providing incentives to shift some trips to off-peak times, alternative modes, or less congested routes. It would also provide a source of revenue to support travel alternatives. As states and localities seek new and more effective responses to the problems created by growing traffic congestion, many are beginning to look to techniques used in other parts of the economy where demand varies by time of day, season, or location. These techniques, often called value pricing, congestion pricing, or variable pricing, rely on the power of market incentives to adjust demand to available capacity. Using price to allocate space on congested roads involves charging relatively higher prices for travel during periods of peak demand than in other periods. Faced with these premium charges, travelers would be encouraged to eliminate lower-valued trips, or take them at a different time, or to choose alternative routes or modes. By recognizing that trips have different values at different times and places and for different individuals, value pricing provides incentives for more efficient use of existing highway capacity and more effectively signal of the need for future capacity expansion. A critically important aspect of value pricing is that while it is reducing the economic waste associated with congestion, it is also generating revenues that can be used to provide benefits to a broad spectrum of road users. Possibilities include funding necessary improvements to the transportation infrastructure, providing improved transportation alternatives, or reducing (or not increasing) other transportation user charges or other local taxes Federal Support for Value-Pricing
Initiatives Congressional authorizations of up to $51 million for fiscal years 1999 to 2003 are provided for the program, and up to 15 new pricing projects are authorized. The projects can involve tolling on interstate highways. Authorization is also provided to allow a driver with no passengers to purchase entry to high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes if the lanes were part of a value pricing project. That means a single-occupant vehicle would be permitted to use lanes that are normally restricted to vehicles with two or more (HOV-2) or three or more (HOV-3) occupants. Revenues from congestion fees can be used for any Title 23 purpose. However, encouragement is given to uses that support the purposes of the pilot program. This might include support for alternative transportation services in areas where pricing occurs. As part of its program-support activities, the Office of Transportation Policy Studies in the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has held a series of regional workshops on value pricing. To date, workshops have been held in Claremont, Calif.; Philadelphia; Chicago; Houston; Tampa; Portland, Ore.; and Washington, D.C. These workshops, sponsored jointly by FHWA and the Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, have provided a forum for public participation, featured presentations by representatives of active pricing projects, and examined potential local pricing applications. Interest in local value-pricing applications continues to grow. Many of the workshops have been attended by more than 125 persons. The most recent workshop in Washington, D.C., facilitated public input to the development of program guidance and project solicitations that were published in the Federal Register on Oct. 5, 1998. It also provided current information on lessons learned from existing value-pricing pilot projects and feasibility studies. Value-Pricing Projects in
Action San Diego To manage traffic flow, a limited number of Express Passes were issued. The first 500 subscribers were allowed to purchase Express Passes for $50. In February 1997, the number of subscribers allowed to purchase passes was increased to 700. In March 1997, the monthly fee was increased to $70. The following month, an additional 200 subscribers were allowed to participate in the program. Despite these changes, approximately 84 percent of the original customers stayed with the pilot program. In March 1998, a variable pricing program called "FasTrak" was implemented. Fees are now based on the actual level of congestion in the HOV lanes. A real-time message sign posted in advance of the entrance indicates the current fee. Transponders deduct the fee when the vehicle travels under overhead readers. Tolls range from 50 cents to $4 per one-way trip under normal conditions. More than 5,000 transponders are now in use. Traffic flow is monitored in the express lanes to ensure that the HOV lanes are maintained at free-flow conditions. This project is gaining worldwide attention because it represents the first application of "dynamic pricing," in which the tolls vary — as often as every six minutes — in response to changes in real-time congestion levels. A comprehensive monitoring and evaluation effort is underway to assess the project's impact on traffic flow, modal usage, operational issues, costs, revenues, acceptance, and business activities. Many I-15 commuters have demonstrated a willingness to pay for the added convenience that FasTrak provides. "I save about an hour each day. It's incredible," said one user who was quoted in the I-15 Express News. "There's also the savings I wasn't counting on: gas, wear and tear on my car, and wear and tear on me. With FasTrak, what I've bought is peace of mind." Nonusers of the HOV lanes also benefit from this project because revenues are used to support the operation of a new express bus service. Houston A limited number of passes were issued to two-person car pools. Initially, only 300 passes were issued to ensure smooth traffic flow in the HOV lanes. Transponders are mounted on the windshields. The fee is automatically deducted when the vehicle passes under the overhead reader. After monitoring traffic flow, it was determined that additional vehicles could be allowed to use the HOV lanes without negatively impacting the existing traffic flow. Therefore, officials approved the issuance of up to 300 additional passes for two-person car pools. According to preliminary reports, nearly 500 transponders have been issued. Average daily trips for Quick Ride users ranged from 100 to 150 trips over the first 45 days of the program. Traffic data for the Quick Ride project is being compiled for an interim report. Lee County, Fla. Commissioner John E. Albion, "Variable pricing is being implemented in Lee County to manage traffic congestion and air quality in the face of one of the highest growth rates in the country." The goal of this project is to shift discretionary traffic out of the peak period by reducing the existing tolls on two bridges during times surrounding the morning and evening rush-hour peaks. An electronic toll collection process has been installed. The discounted toll (50 percent of the existing toll) is only available to persons using this new technology when traveling during the shoulder of the peak. It is hoped that the successful demonstration of this project will reduce congestion and emissions as well as postpone the need for future capacity expansion. Orange County, Calif. The Express Lanes program has been very successful. Approximately 90,000 transponders have been issued. Intelligent transportation systems are used to monitor traffic flow and to expedite responses to traffic incidents. Toll revenues cover highway operations and maintenance costs. Recently, toll revenues reached levels that would, if sustained, cover bond obligations incurred to construct the Express Lanes. The first phase of a study to monitor and evaluate the Express Lanes was recently completed. This study, funded by FHWA, the Federal Transit Administration, and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), revealed that the level of service on the Express Lanes has been maintained. Drivers report a time savings of up to 20 minutes compared to trips taken in the main traffic lanes. The study also found that traffic on the main lanes has also improved and car pooling has increased Importance of Feasibility
Studies Feasibility studies have been undertaken in several areas, including:
International Experience
With Value Pricing
Singapore
Norway France Canada Tips for Successful Implementation Clearly Define the Problem Take Time to Include All
Interests Consider Full Range of Alternatives Include Impact Estimation
in Project Plan Introduce Congestion Pricing
as Part of a Package Focus on Customer Relations Next Steps Value pricing holds the promise of reducing congestion, enhancing mobility, reducing highway-related pollution, and increasing the efficiency of highway transportation. The Value-Pricing Pilot Program will continue to support innovative pricing approaches to reduce congestion on the nation's highways.
John T. Berg is FHWA's team leader for highway revenue analysis and pricing and manager of the Value-Pricing Pilot Program. He also manages a program of studies to evaluate issues related to FHWA's highway revenue program, including analysis of tax policy issues and emerging highway finance strategies. He develops policy and legislative initiatives related to highway financing and user fees, congestion management, pricing, air quality, energy, and alternative fuels. Berg previously held the position of senior staff economist for FHWA's Office of Policy, and he has taught economics at the University of North Dakota, the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire, and The George Washington University. Felicia B. Young is a transportation specialist in the FHWA Office of Policy Development. She has more than 13 years of experience in transportation policy and planning. In FHWA, she has also worked on freight policy and on strategic planning initiatives. Prior to joining FHWA, she served as assistant director of a national nonprofit transportation policy organization. She has more than nine years of experience planning and coordinating the implementation of roadway, transit, and community development projects in Washington, D.C. She has a bachelor's degree in community development and a master's degree in city planning.
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