The effect of freeway toll pricing on travel mode changes, route changes, and departure time changes.

Abstract

This study critically examines the influence of freeway toll pricing on the travel behavior of intercity commuters in Iran, focusing on mode choice, route selection, and departure times. A survey of 921 commuters was conducted to gather data, which was then analyzed using a mixed logit model. The key findings reveal that a one percent increase in toll prices leads to a 1.5101 percent decrease in the likelihood of commuters maintaining their usual travel mode. Conversely, the probability of selecting alternative travel options rises by 2.5129 percent. A notable change is observed in route choice, with a 1000 toman increase in tolls raising the likelihood of route change by 0.320 percent. Furthermore, increased tolls are associated with a higher probability of changes in travel mode (0.1188%) and departure time (0.1078%). This research highlights the significant behavioral shifts among commuters in response to toll pricing adjustments and underscores the need for strategic toll management in transportation planning.