Citation
Bueno Cadena, Paola Carolina and Gómez Sánchez, Juan and Vassallo Magro, José Manuel
(2017).
Seeking factors to increase the public’s acceptability of road-pricing schemes: case study of Spain.
"Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board", v. 2606
;
pp. 9-17.
ISSN 0361-1981.
https://doi.org/10.3141/2606-02.
Abstract
User acceptability has become a critical issue for the successful implementation
of transport pricing measures and policies. Although several
studies have addressed the public acceptability of road pricing, little
evidence can be found of the effects of pricing strategies. The acceptability
of alternative schemes for a toll network already in operation is
an issue to be tackled. This paper contributes to the limited literature in
this field by exploring perceptions toward road-pricing schemes among
toll road users. On the basis of a nationwide survey of toll road users
in Spain, the study developed several binomial logit models to analyze
user acceptability of three approaches: express toll lanes, a time-based
pricing approach, and a flat fee (vignette) system. The results show
notable differences in user acceptability by the type of charging scheme
proposed. Express toll lanes were more acceptable by travelers who
perceived greater benefits from saving travel time. The acceptability
of time-based approaches (peak versus off-peak) decreased for users
who felt forced to use the toll road, whereas this was not an aspect that
significantly influenced users’ support for flat fee schemes. In addition,
a flat fee strategy was more acceptable for long-distance trips and
truck drivers who regularly used the toll facilities. The results from this
analysis can inform policy makers and planners for the promotion of
more efficient, socially inclusive, and publicly acceptable road-pricing
schemes.