Evaluation and Performance Measurement of Congestion Pricing Projects (2011) / Chapter Skim
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These programs are funding projects combining different forms of congestion 3 C H A P T E R 1 Introduction Key Definitions • Congestion Pricing -- the application of variable fees or tolls on roadways to manage available capacity and user demand • Performance Measure or Metric -- used interchangeably, a quantitative or qualitative characterization of a facility or scheme's operational properties; performance measures inform a performance evaluation • Performance Monitoring -- the ongoing, structured process of compiling performance measure data; performance monitoring results can be reported and/or retained for historical purposes; performance monitoring is also required to undertake a performance evaluation • Performance Evaluation -- an assessment of a facility or scheme's operation relative to expectation or a set of prescribed parameters; a performance evaluation can be used to make set adjustments to a facility or scheme's operation (e.g. based on an established algorithm)
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This is particularly important because congestion pricing strategies often face considerable political and public pressures and are not widely known or appreciated by the public at large. Moreover, with a relatively small number of congestion pricing facilities operating in the United States, there is a lack of comprehensive information for developing overall performance evaluation pro4 Evaluation and Performance Measurement of Congestion Pricing Projects An Early Glut of HOV Performance Data Followed by a Dearth When HOV lanes were first being introduced in selected cities, often under the auspices of demonstration project status, considerable scrutiny was given to the performance of each project.
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1.2 Types of Congestion Pricing Congestion pricing projects in operation in the United States and abroad can be categorized into three basic types: 1. Variably priced managed lanes 2.
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Toll facilities may involve the introduction of a variably priced toll structure on legacy facilities that previously featured fixed toll rates, or the use of variably priced toll rates on new facilities. Toll rates on these facilities vary by time of day or congestion level such that peak-period travel is more expensive than off-peak travel, encouraging some motorists to move their trips to off-peak periods or use other travel modes, such as transit.
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. 1.3 Context for Congestion Pricing Projects and Their Evaluation Evaluation and performance measurement programs for congestion pricing projects are most effective when their development extends across the overall planning, implementation, and operation lifecycle of the projects they assess.
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Performance evaluation programs will also need to include specific measures that may be legislatively mandated and any others that the project sponsor may have committed to during the 8 Evaluation and Performance Measurement of Congestion Pricing Projects 2 Volume 1 of NCHRP Project 08-57, Improved Framework and Tools for Highway Pricing Decisions, provides extensive analysis and case studies illuminating decision-making frameworks for tolling and pricing projects.
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When this is the case, sponsors may have to wait several years to gain a complete understanding of the effects of congestion pricing in their regions. The following findings from the Miami, Minneapolis, and San Diego project profiles presented in the appendix provide further detail on how ongoing construction activity has affected performance monitoring in three of the seven managed lane projects assessed in NCHRP Project 08-75.
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Protocols for ongoing performance measure reporting should also be agreed on prior to the opening of the congestion pricing facility. 1.3.3 Performance Measurement and Evaluation during Project Operation When a congestion pricing project goes into operation, project sponsors should anticipate that local stakeholders, elected officials, and the media will want performance data to 10 Evaluation and Performance Measurement of Congestion Pricing Projects The Unanticipated Benefits of a "Soft" Opening in Houston While travel demand modeling output provides a reasonable estimate of utilization levels for HOT lanes, there is always some uncertainty regarding actual utilization prior to opening.
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In terms of data used to validate the project, project sponsors should also anticipate generating regular monthly or weekly reports driven by electronically collected data on an ongoing basis, as well as press releases, individual milestone reports on the completion of major user survey efforts, or annual or biannual reports -- which may also be a legislative requirement. There are also ongoing public involvement opportunities for information reporting during the operation of the congestion pricing facility.
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