Initials Areas of Research
Congestion Economics Overview
The implementation of congestion-based tolling on urban surface transportation systems (combined auto, bus and rail modes) represents an opportunity to address the root causes of the interlinked congestion-mobility-productivity problem. Research and analysis at the center is currently focused on assessing likely congestion conditions and toll revenue projections when travel reliability is established as the foundation for financial transactions between transportation system user and transportation system operator. Such an approach provides a money-back guarantee of reliable travel to transportation users in exchange for user fees collected through ubiquitous, system-wide congestion pricing on all high-capacity facilities. Center researchers conduct large-scale simulation and modeling of integrated surface transportation systems to estimate congestion impacts and projected revenue streams to compare alternative pricing and refund strategies.