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Step tolling in an activity-based bottleneck model

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  • Li, Zhi-Chun
  • Lam, William H.K.
  • Wong, S.C.

Abstract

This paper investigates the step tolling problem in an activity-based bottleneck model in which activity scheduling utilities of commuters at home and at work vary by the time of day. The commuters choose their departure times from home to work in the morning to maximize their own scheduling utility. Step tolling models with homogeneous and heterogeneous preferences are presented. The properties of the models and the optimal step toll schemes with constant and linear time-varying marginal activity utilities are analytically explored and compared. It was found that for a given number of toll steps the efficacy of a step toll in terms of queuing removal rate is higher in the activity-based bottleneck model with linear marginal utilities than in the conventional bottleneck model with constant marginal utilities, and ignoring the preference heterogeneity of commuters would underestimate the efficacy of a step toll.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Zhi-Chun & Lam, William H.K. & Wong, S.C., 2017. "Step tolling in an activity-based bottleneck model," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 306-334.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transb:v:101:y:2017:i:c:p:306-334
    DOI: 10.1016/j.trb.2017.04.001
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    4. Zhu, Tingting & Li, Yao & Long, Jiancheng, 2022. "Departure time choice equilibrium and tolling strategies for a bottleneck with continuous scheduling preference," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    5. Xiao, Ling-Ling & Liu, Tian-Liang & Huang, Hai-Jun & Liu, Ronghui, 2021. "Temporal-spatial allocation of bottleneck capacity for managing morning commute with carpool," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 177-200.
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    7. Li, Chuan-Yao & Huang, Hai-Jun, 2018. "User equilibrium of a single-entry traffic corridor with continuous scheduling preference," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 21-38.
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    12. Deng, Yao & Sheng, Dian & Liu, Baoli, 2021. "Managing ship lock congestion in an inland waterway: A bottleneck model with a service time window," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 142-161.
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    14. Vincent van den Berg, "undated". "Self-financing roads under coarse tolling and heterogeneous preferences," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 22-045/VIII, Tinbergen Institute.
    15. Wang, Hua & Meng, Qiang & Wang, Jing & Zhao, De, 2021. "An electric-vehicle corridor model in a dense city with applications to charging location and traffic management," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 79-99.
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    19. You-Zhi Zeng & Bin Ran & Ning Zhang & Xiaobao Yang & Jia-Jun Shen & She-Jun Deng, 2018. "Optimal Pricing and Service for the Peak-Period Bus Commuting Inefficiency of Boarding Queuing Congestion," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-14, September.

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