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The efficiency of congestion charging: Some lessons from cost-benefit analyses

Author

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  • Charles Raux

    (LET - Laboratoire d'économie des transports - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - ENTPE - École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'État - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Stéphanie Souche

    (LET - Laboratoire d'économie des transports - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - ENTPE - École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'État - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Damien Pons

    (Direction de la Voirie et des Déplacements - Ville de Paris)

Abstract

This paper addresses methodological issues in cost-benefit analysis (CBA) regarding congestion charging schemes. Despite suspicion on the reality of travel time savings, it is argued that these savings are a conservative value of surplus gained from a congestion scheme. The methodology of measurement of travel time reliability is not yet stabilised, but the literature review suggests that it may take a growing share of benefits in the future. Sensitivity tests performed on the London and Stockholm case studies with a simulation model underline the need to accurately measure speeds, while the value of travel time appears less critical. Finally, the impact of costs of public funds on public accounts is greatly significant and may increase in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Charles Raux & Stéphanie Souche & Damien Pons, 2012. "The efficiency of congestion charging: Some lessons from cost-benefit analyses," Post-Print halshs-01026428, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-01026428
    DOI: 10.1016/j.retrec.2012.03.006
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-01026428
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

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    2. Suman, Hemant K. & Bolia, Nomesh B., 2019. "Improvement in direct bus services through route planning," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 263-274.
    3. Stéphanie Souche & Aurelie Mercier & Nicolas Ovtracht, 2016. "The impacts of urban pricing on social and spatial inequalities: The case study of Lyon (France)," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 53(2), pages 373-399, February.
    4. Hemant Kumar Suman & Nomesh B. Bolia, 2019. "Mitigation of overcrowding in buses through bus planning," Public Transport, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 159-187, June.
    5. Mounce, Richard & Nelson, John D., 2019. "On the potential for one-way electric vehicle car-sharing in future mobility systems," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 17-30.

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