Transport and Location Effects of Road Pricing: A Simulation Approach

The effects of road pricing on transport and location patterns have been much discussed. However, it is unclear how large the effects are, and whether relocation of households, workplaces and shops will counteract or amplify the effects on transport. In this paper a model of a generic symmetric city is developed. The model is used to investigate the effects of road pricing in the form of congestion pricing and a toll ring. The results indicate that the impacts on location are small compared to the impacts on traffic volumes, modal split, and trip distances. The different effects of congestion pricing and toll rings at different positions are considered. © The London School of Economics and the University of Bath 2001