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Congestion Pricing — A Primer: Overview

xxx Printable Version [PDF 664 KB]

Contact Information: Operations Feedback at OperationsFeedback@dot.gov.

Table of Contents

Image. The cover of the print version of this publication.
  • The Primer Series and the Purpose of This Volume
  • The Congestion Problem
    • Costs of Traffic Congestion
    • Alarming Trends
    • Causes of Congestion
  • What Is Congestion Pricing?
    • Technology for Congestion Pricing
    • Variably Priced Lanes
    • Variable Tolls on Roadways
    • Zone-Based or Cordon Pricing
    • Area-Wide or System-Wide Pricing
    • Use of Revenues from Pricing
  • Benefits of Congestion Pricing
    • Benefits to Transit Riders and Carpoolers
    • Benefits to Drivers
    • Benefits to Businesses
  • Examples in the United States
    • HOT Lanes on I-15 in San Diego, California
    • SR 91 Express Lanes in Orange County, California
    • Bridge Pricing in Lee County, Florida
    • Oregon's Mileage-Based Pricing Test
  • Examples From Abroad
    • Central London
    • Stockholm City Center
    • Singapore
    • Nationwide Truck Pricing in Germany
  • Federal Policy and Programs on Pricing
    • Federal Legislation
    • U.S. DOT's Congestion Relief Initiative
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    • How does electronic tolling work?
    • How does dynamic pricing work?
    • How do out-of-town motorists who don't have a transponder pay?
    • Wouldn't electronic tolling invade a motorist's privacy?
    • How much is the charge?
    • Isn't pricing inequitable toward low-income motorists?
    • Isn't congestion pricing "double taxation"?
    • Won't adjacent free roads get more congested due to diverted traffic?
    • Do people have flexibility to change the time when they travel?
    • Will the public accept congestion pricing?
    • Will congestion pricing lead to privatization of highways?
    • Won't congestion pricing involve high costs for implementation and operation?
    • What effect will congestion pricing have on the quality of the environment?
  • References

For more information, contact:

Patrick DeCorla-Souza
Office of Innovative Program Delivery
Federal Highway Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, DC 20590
Tel: 202-366-4076
E-mail: patrick.decorla-souza@dot.gov

Office of Transportation Management
Federal Highway Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, DC 20590
Tel: 202-366-6726

Quality Assurance Statement

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provides high quality information to serve Government, industry, and the public in a manner that promotes public understanding. Standards and policies are used to ensure and maximize the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of its information. FHWA periodically reviews quality issues and adjusts its programs and processes to ensure continuous quality improvement.

October 2008

FHWA-HOP-08-039

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