Analysis of a joint entry- and distance-based cordon pricing scheme: a dynamic modeling approach

Abstract

Transportation demand management (TDM) covers strategies for reducing traffic congestion within the affected urban areas. Congestion pricing includes a branch of TDM strategies; among them, the entry-based cordon pricing, i.e., applying charge on entry, is the most popular because of practicality and social acceptance. Many researchers have investigated different second-best approaches for evaluations of cordon pricing plans, mostly by applying static traffic assignment methods. In this paper, a joint entry- and distance-based scheme is proposed to circumvent the deficiencies intrinsic to each. The optimal joint design is considered as the solution to an optimization problem, in which an equilibrium dynamic traffic assignment model is used to take account of flow variations and represent congestion effects more realistically. The problem is solved for the network of Sioux Falls by using an enumeration algorithm, and the solution is compared with those obtained for distinct entry- and distance-based schemes. Based on the results, the joint tolling has the best performance in reducing the total travel time of the travelers and in alleviating the congestion level inside the cordoned area, while generating a higher level of revenue from tolls. Furthermore, the numerical experiments show the unreliability of the results by static against dynamic modeling approach.