Download or read book Enhancement and Evaluation of Dynamic Pricing Strategies of Managed Toll Lanes written by Dimitra Michalaka and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 144 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Then, the tolling practice for the multi-segment HOT lane facilities is outlined and recommendations for the future 95 Express, which will be expanded into a multi-segment facility, are made. This research also includes the enhancement of a microscopic simulation tool, CORSIM, to simulate HOT lane operations. Three main modeling components are developed, including three pricing strategies, a lane-choice module, and four toll structures for multi-segment HOT facilities. The enhanced software is demonstrated by simulating the current and future 95Express. The result is that CORSIM enhancements are able to capture the primary characteristics of HOT lane operations and management.

Download or read book A Decision Support System Tool for Dynamic Pricing of Managed Lanes written by Maryam Zabihi and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 122 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Congestion pricing and managed lanes (ML) have been recently gaining interest around the country as a congestion management tool and as a means of revenue generation for facility maintenance and expansion as well repayment of highway construction debts. Congestion pricing in MLs entails one of several strategies, including time of day pricing, dynamic pricing based on predicted/anticipated traffic conditions, and real-time dynamic pricing based on actual traffic conditions. The overall goal of this study has been to develop a Decision Support System (DSS) tool based on drivers' revealed willingness to pay (WTP) values. This should determine more effective dynamic toll pricing that achieves the ML corridors' operational goals. A key challenge has been estimating drivers' revealed WTP as influenced by their perceived values of time or by other factors such as enhanced safety and more reliable travel times. While there are significant advances made in the available methods to estimate WTP, research still lacks in the area of dynamic pricing. Indeed, for dynamic toll pricing systems, setting real-time toll prices based only on drivers' average WTP values appears ineffective. However, the WTP values estimated through existing methods represent the average value of travel time saving and/or reliability (VOT and/or VOR) for the total population. This makes the current approaches more compatible with static networks, which cannot efficiently address the nature of dynamic corridors. Another major drawback associated with current methods is that the travelers WTP values are measured in terms of price paid to save one unit of travel time (VOT). However, the travelers' WTP to use MLs has been shown to be for a number of intertwined reasons and not just for time savings. This study suggests a number of unique approaches in estimating WTP values. These include a new revealed data source as well as an alternative analysis method for estimating WTP. To obtain more accurate results, the study was limited to the North Tarrant Expressway (NTE) drivers in North Texas and was conducted for different time periods. For this study, traffic count data were reduced from the camera images for different vehicle categories and for five different time periods, including AM and PM peaks, AM and PM inter-peaks, and off-peak periods. In addition, real-time toll prices associated with the study segment and the day and time of the data collection were obtained from the NTE website. The data analysis method involved an existing toll pricing model (TPM) developed in a former Texas Department of Transportation study for setting tolls for MLs. The model was modified and calibrated based on actual ML shares and associated toll prices for the NTE ML corridor. The modified version of TPM (version 5.0) can be employed as a DSS tool to estimate the WTP values for drivers of any vehicle class and for any time of day. Values of about $119, $101, $71, $75, and $59 per hours were estimated as the revealed average WTP for the NTE SOV drivers during AM peak, PM peak, AM inter-peak, PM inter-peak, and off-peak periods, respectively. In addition, a value of $85 per hour was estimated for the mean revealed WTP (all periods inclusive) for the NTE SOV drivers. The results of this study showed relatively high WTP values and ML share percentages for the NTE drivers, indicating a high level of acceptance of MLs in the region. Finally, this study suggested applying a new paradigm in WTP estimation studies. The employed data collection and analysis methods were two components of the new paradigm. Besides, the new paradigm recommended evaluating real-time WTP by time of day instead of average WTP values for dynamic pricing schemes. The last component was a recommendation to attribute the WTP values to the travelers' willingness to pay to drive one unit distance on toll lanes instead of to save one unit of travel time.The DSS tool developed in this study for the NTE ML has the potential to be used by ML operators to measure the real-time WTP values for the ML users. The results of this new methodology may not directly address the questions about travelers' behavior in terms of their reasons to choose between the MLs and GPLs. However, these results can significantly contribute to decision making about transportation policies, in particular, the policies associated with dynamic congestion pricing for ML corridors.

Download or read book Proactive and Robust Dynamic Pricing Strategies for High Occupancy toll Lanes written by Dimitra Michalaka and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: ABSTRACT: Congestion pricing is to reduce congestion in transportation infrastructure by charging motorists a certain amount of money--known as a toll--for the use of the roads. Congestion pricing has been promoted by economists and transportation researchers as one of the most efficient means to mitigate traffic congestion because it employs the price mechanism with almost all the advantages of efficiency, universality and clarity. When tolls implemented on highway lanes vary by the time of day, with higher values charged during peak traffic periods, it is called as dynamic tolling. The tolled lanes are High Occupancy/ Toll Lanes (HOT) if the high occupancy vehicles are allowed to use the lanes toll-free. As the literature review indicates, many studies have been conducted to determine optimal dynamic tolls than can be implemented to roads with high congestion levels. However, most of these studies take into consideration idealized and hypothetical situations in order to derive solutions. For instance, the travel demand is assumed to be known as well as motorists' willingness to pay, i.e., how much money they are likely to pay for using the managed facility. In addition, there is not any model that takes into consideration uncertainty of demand or capacity for the determination of the toll values. Therefore, this thesis develops a more robust and proactive approach to determine time-varying tolls for HOT lanes in response to real-time traffic conditions. The toll rates are optimized to provide free-flow conditions to managed lanes while maximizing freeway's throughput. The approach consists of several key components, including demand learning and scenario-based robust toll optimization. Simulation experiments are conducted to validate and demonstrate the proposed approach.

Download or read book Dynamic Pricing and Long term Planning Models for Managed Lanes with Multiple Entrances and Exits written by Venktesh Pandey and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 348 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Express lanes or priced managed lanes provide a reliable alternative to travelers by charging dynamic tolls in exchange for traveling on lanes with no congestion. These lanes have various locations of entrances and exits and allow travelers to adapt their route based on the toll and travel time information received at a toll gantry. In this dissertation, we incorporate this adaptive lane choice behavior in improving the dynamic pricing and long-term planning models for managed lanes with multiple entrances and exits. Lane choice of travelers minimizing their disutility is affected by the real-time information about tolls and travel time through variable message signs and perceived information from past experiences. In this dissertation, we compare various adaptive lane choice models differing in their reliance on real-time information or historic information or both. We propose a decision route lane choice model that efficiently compares the disutility over multiple routes on an express lane. Assuming drivers’ disutility is only affected by tolls and travel times, we show that the decision route model generates only up to 0.93% error in expected costs compared to the optimal adaptive lane choice model, making it a suitable choice for modeling lane choice of travelers. Next, using the decision route lane choice framework, we improve the current dynamic pricing models for express lanes that commonly ignore adaptive lane choice, assume simplified traffic dynamics, and/or are based on simplified heuristics. Formulating the dynamic pricing problem as an MDP, we optimize the tolls for various objectives including maximizing revenue and minimizing total system travel time (TSTT). Three solution algorithms are evaluated: (a) an algorithm based on value-function approximation, (b) a multiagent reinforcement learning algorithm with decentralized tolling at each gantry, and (c) a deep reinforcement learning assuming partial observability of traffic state. These algorithms are shown to outperform other heuristics such as feedback control heuristics by generating up to 10% higher revenues and up to 9% lower delays. Our findings also reveal that the revenue-maximizing optimal policies follow a “jam-and-harvest” behavior where the toll-free lanes are pushed towards congestion in the earlier time steps to generate higher revenue later, a characteristic not observed for the policies minimizing TSTT. We use reward shaping methods to overcome the undesired behavior of toll policies and confirm transferability of the algorithms to new input domains. We also offer recommendations on real-time implementations of pricing algorithms based on solving MDPs. Last, we incorporate adaptive lane choice in existing long-term planning models for express lanes which commonly represent these lanes as fixed-toll facilities and ignore en route adaptation of lane choices. Defining the improved model as an equilibrium over adaptive lane choices of self-optimizing travelers and formulating it as a convex program, we show that long-term traffic forecasts can be underestimated by up to 45% if adaptive route choice is ignored. For solving the equilibrium, we develop a gradient-projection algorithm which is shown to be efficient than existing link-state algorithms in the literature. Additionally, we estimate the sensitivity of equilibrium expected costs with demand variation by formulating it as a convex program solved using a variant of the gradient projection algorithm proposed earlier. This analysis simplifies a complex express lane network as a single directed link, allowing integration of adaptive lane choice for planning of express lanes without significantly altering the components of traditional planning models. Overall these models improve the state-of-the-art of pricing and planning for managed lanes useful for evaluating future express lane projects and for operations of express lanes with multiple objectives

Download or read book Comparative Analysis of Dynamic Pricing Strategies for Managed Lanes 2012 089S written by Jorge Andrés Laval and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 91 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Assessing Pricing Strategies and Users Attitudes Towards Managed Lanes written by and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 164 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Optimal Dynamic Pricing for Managed Lanes with Multiple Entrances and Exits written by Venktesh Pandey and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 166 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Dynamic pricing models are explored in this thesis for high-occupancy/toll (HOT) lanes, which are increasingly being considered as a means to relieve congestion by providing a reliable travel time alternative to travelers. The work is focused on two aspects of dynamic pricing: (a) utilizing real-time traffic measurements to inform parameters of the pricing model and (b) developing a optimal pricing formulation for managed lanes with multiple entrances and exits. The first part of the thesis develops a non-linear estimation model to determine the parameters of the value of time (VOT) distribution using real-time loop detector measurements. The estimation model is run on a HOT network with a single entrance and exit assuming the VOT has a Burr distribution. The estimation results show that the true parameter values of a VOT distribution for a population can be learned from loop detector readings measured before and after the toll gantry location. Differing toll profile predictions are observed for different choices of initial conditions. The observability of the collected measurements to estimate the parameters of the model is identified as a primary factor for the non-linear estimation to work in real-time. Further research areas are identified to extend the analysis of using real-time loop detector data for complex HOT networks and for different toll optimization objectives. The second part proposes a dynamic programming (DP) formulation to solve distance-based optimal tolling for HOT lanes with multiple entrances and exits (HOT-MEME) under deterministic demand conditions. The simplifying assumptions made to model HOT-MEME networks found in the literature are relaxed. Two objectives are considered for optimization: maximizing generated revenue and minimizing experienced total system travel time. A spatial queue model is used to capture the traffic dynamics and a multinomial logit model is used to simulate lane choice at each diverge. A backward recursion algorithm is applied, under simplifying assumptions for the definition of the state of the system, to solve for the optimal toll. The results indicate that the DP approach can theoretically determine optimal tolls for HOT lanes with multiple entrances and exits, but further research needs to be conducted for the algorithm to work practically for medium to large size networks. Recommendations are made in the conclusion about how advanced methods can be utilized to tackle the computational constraints.

Download or read book Real time Personalized Toll Optimization Based on Traffic Predictions written by Yundi Zhang and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 125 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Road pricing is a traffic congestion management strategy that alters traffic demand and raises funds for transportation supply improvements. Compared to static pricing and reactive dynamic pricing, proactive dynamic pricing is most effective in achieving traffic management objectives, as the toll is based on traffic predictions that incorporate real-time information. We investigate a proactive toll pricing framework where the toll is optimized in real time based on traffic predictions generated by a dynamic traffic assignment (DTA) system. Toll optimization performance relies on accurate predictions, which is backed by the online calibration of the DTA system. We develop enhanced online calibration methodologies featuring a heuristic technique to calibrate supply parameters and improve the prediction accuracy of traffic speed. We test online calibration using real data from a real network consisting of managed lanes and general-purpose lanes. We find the methodologies improve estimation and prediction accuracies of flow and speed. We then formulate toll pricing as an optimization problem to maximize expected revenue, subject to network condition requirements and tolling regulations. We test the proactive toll pricing system in a closed-loop evaluation framework where a microscopic simulator is used to mimic the real network. We perform tests in multiple demand and supply scenarios and find that the system generates higher revenue when online calibration is enabled. Growing applications of electronic toll collection enrich disaggregate trip data, making it possible to improve traffic management by personalized toll pricing. We develop a personalized toll pricing system by extending the original system to a two-level framework, where a new personalized discount module generates discount offers for a subset of individuals, while the original optimization module optimizes the displayed toll rate and a control parameter that affects how much discount to offer. Discount also depends on individual traveler's choice behavior, represented by an enhanced route choice model that captures heterogeneities among individuals. We use real personalized trip records to estimate the choice model. We find that variables generated from individuals' trip history are capable of capturing heterogeneities among individuals. We test the personalized toll pricing system and find it improves optimization objective compared to non-personalized pricing.

Download or read book Evaluation and Performance Measurement of Congestion Pricing Projects written by Benjamin Gerry Perez and published by Transportation Research Board. This book was released on 2011 with total page 166 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "These guidelines are intended for transportation practitioners involved in the planning, design, and operation of congestion-pricing projects. They will help agencies select or develop measures to evaluate these projects, collect the necessary data, track performance, and communicate the results to decision makers, users, and the general public. These guidelines will be valuable to all agencies who are using or considering congestion pricing to manage their roadway capacity."--Foreword.

Download or read book ITS Architecture Implementation strategy written by and published by . This book was released on 1996 with total page 598 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Road Pricing Theory Empirical Assessment and Policy written by Börje Johansson and published by Springer. This book was released on 1995 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Road pricing (tolls, etc.) as a means of generating revenue for infrastructure investment has become a major policy option in both Europe and North America. It can also be used as a policy in the management of traffic demand and flow, environmental objectives, and optimal resource allocation as regards the size of investments. Road pricing is assumed to be able to solve many problems simultaneously -- congestion control, pollution reduction, and investment financing. This volume assembles and assesses theoretical knowledge, empirical results and experiences of actual road pricing. In addition, the impact of new information technology on future policy formulation is considered.

Download or read book Dynamic Road Pricing and the Value of Time and Reliability written by Daniel Brent and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes that use dynamic pricing to manage congestion and generate revenue are increasingly popular. In this paper, we estimate the behavioral response of drivers to dynamic pricing in an HOT lane. The challenge in estimation lies in the simultaneity of price and demand: the structure of dynamic tolling ensures that prices increase as more drivers enter the HOT lane. Prior research has found that higher prices in HOT lanes increase usage. We find that after controlling for simultaneity HOT drivers instead respond to tolls in a manner consistent with economic theory. The average response to a 10 percent increase in the toll is a 1.6 percent reduction in usage. Drivers primarily value travel reliability over time savings, although there is heterogeneity in the relative values of time and reliability based on time of day and destination to or from work. The results highlight the importance of both controlling for simultaneity when estimating demand for dynamically priced toll roads and treating HOT lanes with dynamic prices as a differentiated product with bundled attributes.

Download or read book Road Pricing written by Anjali Mahendra and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 156 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 686: Road Pricing: Public Perceptions and Program Development explores road pricing concepts and their potential effectiveness and applicability. The report includes guidelines for project planning and integrating pricing into regional and state planning processes, and for communicating strategies and engaging affected parties.

Download or read book I 270 US 15 Multi Modal Corridor Study Montgomery and Frederick Counties written by and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 672 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Simulation Based Evaluation of Dynamic Congestion Pricing Algorithms and Strategies written by Ender Faruk Morgul and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 141 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Congestion pricing is defined as charging motorists during peak hours to encourage them to either switch their travel times or to use alternative routes. The theory behind road pricing suggests that, in order to reach social optimum conditions, a toll needs to be charged which is equal to the difference between social marginal costs and private average costs of users. In recent years, with the help of technological developments such as electronic toll collection system, pricing can be done dynamically, that is, tolls can be set in a real-time fashion according to the on-line measured traffic conditions. Dynamic pricing is only being used in High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes. However time-dependent pricing idea can be used in a network setting where drivers have to make route choices that are relatively more complex than the choices they make in the case of HOT lanes. This thesis proposes a simulation-based evaluation of dynamic congestion pricing on the crossings of New York City where many of the limited number of crossings to the island of Manhattan are tolled and function as parallel alternatives. One of the key aspects of this study is the estimation of realistic values of time (VOT) for different classes of users, namely, commuters and commercial vehicles. New York region-specific VOT for commercial vehicles is estimated using a logit model of stated preference data. Two different simulation studies are conducted. First simulation study is performed using the software TransModeler by considering the Manhattan network with a simple step-wise dynamic tolling algorithm and modeling the driver behavior by taking VOT into consideration. In the second simulation study, a tolling algorithm which is applicable to two tolled alternative crossings is developed. The algorithm includes real time toll rate calculation depending on travel times on crossings and models the driver behavior in response to toll rates and real-time measured travel time information on alternative routes. The algorithm is tested in traffic simulation software Paramics on a network including the two tunnels between New Jersey and New York City with a microscopic simulation of the traffic entering Manhattan.

Download or read book Road Pricing written by Anjali Mahendra and published by Transportation Research Board. This book was released on 2011 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 686: Road Pricing: Public Perceptions and Program Development explores road pricing concepts and their potential effectiveness and applicability. The report includes guidelines for project planning and integrating pricing into regional and state planning processes, and for communicating strategies and engaging affected parties.

Download or read book Active Traffic Management for Arterials written by Richard Gerhard Dowling and published by Transportation Research Board. This book was released on 2013 with total page 65 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Active traffic management (ATM) includes a suite of traffic management and control strategies that improve operational efficiency. These strategies are used to manage traffic flow to enhance capacity and safety. This synthesis documents the state of the practice associated with designing, implementing, and operating ATM on arterial roadways."--Preface.