Making Congestion Pricing Equitable

Abstract

Transportation policy makers increasingly consider congestion pricing a promising option for addressing urban traffic congestion problems. Although some congestion pricing projects have been undertaken in the United States, many proposals have been rejected because of concerns that congestion pricing is inequitable. This paper identifies and assesses ways of making congestion pricing equitable. The authors review notions of equity applicable to congestion pricing and explore the equity issues that arise in the context of cordon and area pricing systems and high-occupancy toll lanes.