Support for and Behavioral Responses to Tolls

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the experiences with tolling in the Hampton Roads region of Southeastern Virginia to better understand residents' and drivers' support for tolls and behavioral responses to tolls. The Hampton Roads region, with its population of 1.7 million and extensive network of highways, roads, bridges, and tunnels, has a long history of toll facilities that date back to the 1920s. The most recent tunnel tolls, associated with the Elizabeth River Crossing Project and introduced in February 2014, are the focus of this chapter. This chapter analyzes two sets of survey data to provide insights that have implications for policies regarding tolling: (1) The Life in Hampton Roads Surveys which includes questions about support for tolls and toll avoidance behaviors; and (2) two surveys (pre- and post- toll implementation) commissioned by the regional transportation planning organization.

Explaining Drivers’ Support for Tolls and their Toll Avoidance Behavior

“…This is particularly notable for long-term avoidance responses such as moving and changing home or work location. In the specific case of changing home or work location, Yusuf et al (2019) note that the stated preference for moving home or work locations to avoid tolls -as measured in our studymay not match the revealed preference or actual moving behavior. Furthermore, long-term study is needed not only of the effect of tolling on "net movement of people but [also] changes in locational economic factors " (2019, p. 133).…”

“…Tolling and road pricing may result in reduced automobile usage of the tolled facility (Keuleers et al, 2006;Nichols & Belfield, 2016) as drivers avoid tolls to reduce the financial impacts. Most studies have looked at changes in routes and time of departure (Arentze et al, 2004;Dissanayake & Kouli, 2007;Francsics & Ingrey, 2000;Khademi & Timmermans, 2011;Nielsen, 2004;Olszewski & Xie, 2005;Yusuf et al, 2019). We consider these behavioral responses to be synonymous with a change in commute.…”

“…We consider these behavioral responses to be synonymous with a change in commute. The literature also includes some studies on changes in transportation mode such as shifting to transit (Francsics & Ingrey, 2000;Vrtic et al, 2007;Yusuf et al, 2019) and avoiding travel to tolled destinations (Barnes et al, 2012;Yusuf et al, 2019).…”

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In recent decades, increased traffic congestion on U.S. roadways and decreases in real fuel tax revenues have stimulated renewed interest in tolling as a revenue source to support transportation investment (Yusuf et al, 2019;Yusuf et al, 2015). Tolling, a form of road pricing, offers several potential benefits, including revenue for needed transportation infrastructure, less congestion for drivers, and reduced auto dependence for

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“…Clearly, many drivers can choose to avoid tolls, as research on congestion tolling in Europe has documented (Croci, 2016;Franklin et al, 2016;Nielsen, 2004). Yet there is limited research, in the U.S. context, on how drivers change their behavior in response to tolls, despite the implications for revenue generation as well as the effectiveness of tolls as a traffic and congestion management tool (Yusuf et al, 2019). We also address issues of equity and social justice within our analysis and discussion, as some of these appear to be factors in the behaviors of certain drivers.…”