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Crossing the bridge: The effects of time-varying tolls on curbing congestion

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  • Foreman, Kate

Abstract

This paper estimates the traffic volume and travel time effects of the road congestion pricing implemented on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. I employ both difference-in-differences and regression discontinuity approaches to analyze previously unexploited data for the two years spanning the price change and obtain causal estimates of the hourly average treatment effects of the policy. I find evidence of peak spreading in traffic volume and decreases in travel time during peak hours. I also find suggestive evidence of substitution to a nearby bridge and decreases in travel time variability. In addition, I calculate own- and cross-price elasticities.

Suggested Citation

  • Foreman, Kate, 2016. "Crossing the bridge: The effects of time-varying tolls on curbing congestion," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 76-94.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:92:y:2016:i:c:p:76-94
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2016.06.033
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    Cited by:

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    3. Koh, Wee Ping & Chin, Kian Keong, 2022. "The applicability of prospect theory in examining drivers’ trip decisions, in response to Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rates adjustments - a study using travel data in Singapore," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 115-127.
    4. Ramesh Bollapragada & Venoo Kakar & John Goodwin & Andrew Fremier, 2023. "Adoption of FasTrak on San Francisco Bay Area Bridges: Impact of Operations Research Models in Relieving Congestion," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 53(2), pages 97-110, March.
    5. Coria, Jessica & Zhang, Xiao-Bing, 2017. "Optimal environmental road pricing and daily commuting patterns," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 297-314.
    6. Beheshtian, Arash & Richard Geddes, R. & Rouhani, Omid M. & Kockelman, Kara M. & Ockenfels, Axel & Cramton, Peter & Do, Wooseok, 2020. "Bringing the efficiency of electricity market mechanisms to multimodal mobility across congested transportation systems," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 58-69.
    7. Schubert, Daniel & Sys, Christa & Vanelslander, Thierry & Roumboutsos, Athena, 2022. "No-queue road pricing: A comprehensive policy instrument for Europe?," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Market based instruments; Congestion pricing; Travel time; Energy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities

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