Capturing value of reliability through road pricing in congested traffic under uncertainty

Abstract

Empirical studies showed that travel time reliability, usually measured by travel time variance, is strongly correlated with travel time itself. Travel time is highly volatile when the demand approaches or exceeds the capacity. Travel time variability is associated with the level of congestion, and could represent additional costs for travelers who prefer punctual arrivals. Although many studies propose to use road pricing as a tool to capture the value of travel time (VOT) savings and to induce better road usage patterns, the role of the value of reliability (VOR) in designing road pricing schemes has rarely been studied. By using road pricing as a tool to spread out the peak demand, traffic management agencies could improve the utility of travelers who prefer punctual arrivals under traffic congestion and stochastic network conditions. Therefore, we could capture the value of travel time reliability using road pricing, which is rarely discussed in the literature. To quantify the value of travel time reliability (or reliability improvement), we need to integrate trip scheduling, endogenous traffic congestion, travel time uncertainty, and pricing strategies in one modeling framework. This paper developed such a model to capture the impact of pricing on various costs components that affect travel choices, and the role of travel time reliability in shaping departure patterns, queuing process, and the choice of optimal pricing. The model also shows the benefits of improving travel time reliability in various ways. Findings from this paper could help to expand the scope of road pricing, and to develop more comprehensive travel demand management schemes.