The efficiency of congestion charging: Some lessons from cost-benefit analyses

Charles Raux (1) , Stéphanie Souche (1) , Damien Pons (2)

1 LET - Laboratoire d'économie des transports
2 Direction de la Voirie et des Déplacements

This paper addresses methodological issues in cost-benefit analysis (CBA) regarding congestion charging schemes. Despite suspicion on the reality of travel time savings, it is argued that these savings are a conservative value of surplus gained from a congestion scheme. The methodology of measurement of travel time reliability is not yet stabilised, but the literature review suggests that it may take a growing share of benefits in the future. Sensitivity tests performed on the London and Stockholm case studies with a simulation model underline the need to accurately measure speeds, while the value of travel time appears less critical. Finally, the impact of costs of public funds on public accounts is greatly significant and may increase in the future.

Mots clés: Cost-benefit analysis; Congestion charging; Travel time savings; London; Stockholm; Cost of public funds

Domaines: Economies et finances

Charles Raux, Stéphanie Souche, Damien Pons. The efficiency of congestion charging: Some lessons from cost-benefit analyses. Research in Transportation Economics, 2012, 36 (1), pp.85-92. ⟨10.1016/j.retrec.2012.03.006⟩. ⟨halshs-01026428⟩