Urban Road Pricing: Modeling Public Acceptance

Abstract

Acceptability is considered the most important barrier in establishing a congestion pricing scheme. Using data from an extensive questionnaire survey conducted in the central area of Athens, Greece, in 2008, this paper examines attitudes toward traffic congestion, choice of travel mode, and revenue allocation, which can influence the acceptability of congestion pricing. Since one of the major goals of congestion pricing is to discourage personal automobile use, we also examine the choice of mode following the implementation of a congestion pricing system. Further, we developed a multivariate probit model to investigate the factors that influence public perception regarding the effectiveness of six traffic-management measures. Results from this study can assist in better understanding the factors that affect public acceptance of congestion pricing in urban areas.