Examining the Potential of Variable Congestion Charges in Dublin City Center

Abstract

In Dublin, Ireland, roads regularly see excessively high levels of congestion during the morning and afternoon peak hours. Over the past several years, various options have been investigated to reduce the city's traffic congestion. Congestion charges, such as those currently implemented in London, United Kingdom, or Stockholm, Sweden, are generally supplemented by high-quality public transport systems, and in most cases, commuters have viable alternative methods of transport readily available to them. Although similar congestion-pricing schemes have been suggested for Dublin, the city's public transport system is in need of expansion and improvement, and cannot provide a viable alternative method of transport for many car commuters in remote locations. This research study examined the approach of introducing a user-sensitive variable congestion charge to Dublin's city center. The approach is based on one general congestion charge, as well as individual discount rates to reduce the congestion charge for some commuters.