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Study Raises Concerns Over Congestion Pricing
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In support of the U.S Department of Transportation’s (DOT) National Strategy to Reduce Congestion on America’s Transportation Network, the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Office of Natural and Human Environment (HEPN) and Office of Transportation Management (HOTM) sought assistance from The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center to explore attitudes about congestion pricing. For this exploratory study, focus groups consisting of the general public, business owners and managers, and owners and managers of shipping and transportation logistics firms were formed. The purpose of these focus groups was to obtain feedback on a specific congestion pricing scenario and to better understand the public’s concerns regarding congestion pricing. A secondary purpose was to learn more about how to communicate with the public on the topic of congestion pricing.
The most frequently raised concerns by the focus groups included:
- Diversion to arterials: local roads would become extremely more congested.
- Administrative costs: Respondents perceived the system would require high start-up costs to outfit the highways and to equip drivers with transponders. Respondents also felt that video-tolling, specifically tracking down drivers who do not have a transponder, would result in significant expense. This was of particular concern regarding visitors or tourists; respondents wanted to be sure that visitors paid for their use of the roads.
- Distrust of government: Respondents seemed to distrust government to effectively administer the new program.
- High personal (business) cost: Respondents across the different types of groups worried that the system could be a financial burden and that it would cost them more than they are currently paying in taxes.
- Equity issues: Several different issues were raised concerning equity. Some were concerned about the ability of low income people to pay the tolls. Respondents also mentioned that it was unfair that commuters (especially those with less flexible work schedules) would be paying to fund the roads, whereas off-peak drivers would not have to pay anything.
