4 minute read
Figure 32 Traffic volume reduction and deterrent charges required for southbound traffic on Western Express Highway (WEH) near Andheri
Figure 32 Traffic volume reduction and deterrent charges required for southbound traffic on Western Express Highway (WEH) near Andheri
The deterrent charges shown in the graphs above are the minimum fee a vehicle would pay. The total fee a vehicle shall be liable to pay will depend on the number of gantries it passes through. The following conditions are proposed to guide charges applicable on a vehicle: ● A vehicle is charged the deterrent price when it passes through the first gantry. If the vehicle crosses more gantries subsequently, an additional fee may be applicable. ● If a vehicle crosses a gantry to enter an uncongested stretch, it is not charged an additional fee. ● If a vehicle crosses a gantry to enter a congested stretch, it is charged an additional fee.
Advertisement
6.5.3 Network pricing in Mumbai Determining the congestion charge for a network-based system would require speed and traffic volume trends from all over the city. Such extensive data was not collected for this study and should be treated as a limitation. However, the mechanism to arrive at an initial price is presented here. The goal can be to maintain traffic flow at LOS C on the entire road network and the price mechanism presented for corridor based pricing can be used to set an initial price. The price can vary based on the PCU factors of the vehicles. Network-based pricing requires each trip to be tracked for calculating an accurate charge. Singapore is planning to provide real-time route recommendations for commuters as a service through the onboard units (OBUs) which are expected to replace the current invehicle units (IUs). Such recommendations can help commuters to choose a route based on their preferences such as cheapest route, fastest route, etc. Some navigation tools (Waze, Google maps, etc.) already provide options to commuters to choose their route based on distance, speed, tolls, etc. These navigational platforms are also capable of informing commuters about toll booths, speed traps, real-time incidents, etc. Such platforms can be leveraged to provide real-time congestion charge alerts to commuters. Such features would keep the congestion pricing system transparent, provide easy access to information, provide choices to commuters and distribute traffic on less congested routes in real-time.
6.6 Informing users about applicable congestion charges
Vehicle users should be pre-informed about the price they would be charged before they enter the congestion zone to enable them to make a well-informed decision: to pay the congestion charge or choose an alternative. A city can inform the commuters about congestion pricing through the following ways: 6.6.1 Online portal The easiest way the authorities can disseminate information about congestion pricing is by providing adequate information about the area/corridors being charged, the placement of gantries, the time of operations, the congestion charge, the vehicles being exempted, how to obtain an RFID tag and penalties on a dedicated online portal which anyone can use online. The authorities can also integrate the payment information system with a user ID on the portal so that a user can monitor their daily expenses and dues. 6.6.2 On-street signages On-street signages are important to give information to the users while they are on a trip. A large number of people might not use online portals to get information. Therefore, all users should be informed about the congestion zone/corridor through on-street signage before the entry point. An electronic display at the entry point should inform users about the congestion charge for that particular location at that specific hour for different vehicle types.
6.6.3 App-based information and payment system The implementation authority can also set-up a mobile-based app to inform the user about their location relative to the congestion zone or gantries. The app can be very helpful to the user with alerts enabled if a vehicle enters a congestion zone or passes through a gantry, display the length of their journey in the congested corridor and the amount charged. Such an app should also be linked to the payment system so that a user can easily recharge their account when the balance is low. With cities looking to shift to a network-based pricing system, such apps can be extremely useful for users.
Case Studies
London provides information about the location of the congestion zone, the time of operations, vehicles exempted and even the option to pay the congestion charge online on TfL‘s website. Daily licences can also be bought online on the day of travel or in advance. If the driver forgets to buy a licence before entering the charging zone, it is possible to pay up to midnight on the same day, failing which a penalty is charged. On-street signages also inform users about entry into the congestion zone. In Singapore, electronic displays on the ERP gantry inform users about applicable congestion charges.
