WASHINGTON: Tolling Strategies in the Seattle Area
In FY2002, the VPP program funded a GPS-based region-wide pricing simulation called the Traffic Choices study. In FY2004, the VPP program funded pre-implementation efforts for HOT lanes on State Route 167. The Washington State Transportation Commission recently completed public opinion research to assess the awareness and acceptance of tolling for revenue generation and traffic management.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) was awarded $935,000 in FY 2006 funds to advance public awareness and acceptance of value pricing and associated operational toll concepts from a "user's perspective," incorporate previous study findings into near and mid-term policies and project planning, and improve state and regional coordination.
The project communicated to the public and elected officials the concept of value pricing and how tolling can help manage traffic. The inability of public agencies to effectively communicate these concepts has hindered and delayed acceptance of pricing concepts.
Project Staus
Project Complete
Final Report
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Tolling/planning/aap.htm
For More Information Contact
Rob Fellows
Tolling Division
Washington State DOT
Phone: (206) 464-1257