Mode shift with tradable credit scheme: a simulation study in Lyon

Abstract

Several tradable credit schemes have been proposed over the last decade to restrict the use of personal cars and reduce negative traffic externalities such as congestion and pollution. Two of the main arguments of this approach compared to congestion pricing are that it is revenue-neutral and that the market could self-regulate the credit price. The trip-based MFD (Macroscopic Fundamental Diagram) framework is an efficient tool to simulate traffic dynamics at a large-urban scale considering multimodal options. It is very convenient to test demand management strategies targeting all travelers. In this paper, we propose to use such a simulation framework to investigate a tradable credit scheme, which aims to foster mode shift by regulating access to the road network. Credits are allocated to the users and are required for using their car. They can save their credits for another day or trade them using a marketplace. The credit scheme impacts are illustrated through a numerical implementation with a demand typical of a peak hour (7:00 to 8:00) in Lyon with 115 628 trips. The main result of the simulation is the potential for such a tradable credit scheme to increase public transportation share and thus reduce total travel costs.