Type of Scheme
- Variable tolling on bridges and tunnels.
Date of Introduction
Background
- Discounts offered under the old tolling system over the Hudson River and crossings on the East River provided an economic incentive to drive at times of heaviest demand and greatest traffic congestion by providing a discounted price to frequent users. This led to more traffic congestion, delays and related costs.
- On January 25 2001, the PANYNJ - a government body - approved a new pricing structure where tolls varied according to time of day and payment technology. This went live on March 25, 2001.
- Structure designed to create incentives to travel in off-peak hours, when the capacity of the crossings is not as limited, and to help improve overall traffic flow by creating incentives to use E-ZPass (see Technology section below) at all times of the day.
Aims
- Primary objective was to reduce congestion in the peak hours.
- Secondary objectives were to increase the use of E-ZPasses and facilitate commercial traffic control management.
How it Works
Charges:
- Charges vary according to time of day, payment method and the type of vehicle.
- Weekday peak hours are 06.00 - 09.00am and 16.00 - 19.00pm. Weekend peak hours are 12.00 noon - 20.00pm. Lorry overnight hours are 12.00 midnight to 06.00am weekdays.
- Cars charged $4 in off peak hours, $5 in peak hours (using E-ZPass) and $6 for cash.
- Lorries charged $5 per axle in off peak hours, $6 per axle in peak hours, $3.50 per axle in overnight hours (using E-ZPass) and $6 per axle for cash.
- Discounts available to registered Carpool users ($1 charge using E-ZPass) who have 3 or more people in a vehicle with non-commercial plates.
- There is a Staten Island Bridges Plan discount for E-ZPass customers using the Goethals Bridge, Outerbridge Crossing and Bayonne Bridge. The cost for the Staten Island Bridges Plan is $50 for 20 trips, which must be used within a 35-day period (i.e., $2.50 per trip).
Technology:
- Payment can be made by cash or through using an E-ZPass.
- Payment made through the E-ZPass tag system involves the tag information being read by an overhead antenna in the E-ZPass facility. The proper charge is then deducted from a motorist's E-ZPass account.
Enforcement:
- A video enforcement system is in place to identify charge evaders.
- Toll violations are posted to the registered owner of the vehicle.
Revenue
- Not known.
- However, when new tolls were introduced, it was stated the revenue would make possible new capital investments and service improvements.
Benefits/Results
- An evaluation study of the pricing initiative was carried out by the New Jersey Department of Transportation in March 2005.
- The research showed:
- Weekday car and truck traffic % share showed significant shift towards pre-peak hours both in the mornings and afternoons.
- Weekend car and truck traffic % share did not have significant change on peak shoulders (11AM-12PM and 8-9PM).
Public Opinion
- New Jersey Department of Transportation's research in 2005 found:
- Passengers' opinions:
- 44.0 % think congestion is now a lot worse, while 33 % think traffic is a lot or somewhat better.
- Majority strongly or somewhat agreed that:
- It is fair to give discounts to E-ZPass users (84.6 %).
- It is a good idea to vary toll rates during different times of day to help improve traffic congestion (58.7 %), though when asked is it fair to charge higher tolls during peak travel periods, the approval drops to 26.4 %.
- It is fair to provide discounts to frequent users travelling during the peak hours (82.4 %).
- Toll revenues should be used to support public transit (64.7 %).
- 42.2 % willing to pay more for a faster trip; while 36.8 % said they would pay more for a more reliable trip.
- Carriers' opinions:
- 12.8% think time of day pricing had an effect on traffic congestion: 42.3% of them think that traffic congestion is a lot worse, while 43.6% think the traffic congestion is somewhat better or lot better.
- Most carriers agree that:
- It is fair to give discounts to E-ZPass users (91.6%).
- It is fair to charge lower tolls for trucks with fewer axles (84.9%).
It is fair to use toll revenues to support public transit (58.4%).
- Carriers like to pay less during the overnight hours (88.4% agreed), thought they do not like to pay more during the peak hours (80.1% disagreed).
Website
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey:
www.panynj.gov.
References
www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/bridges/html/index.html.
www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/bridges/html/ezpass.html.
www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/tunnels/html/index.html.
www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/tunnels/html/ezpass.html.
www.e-zpassny.com.
Evaluation study of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's Time of Day Pricing Initiative - Executive Summary
www.rpi.edu/~holguj2/PA/Executive%20Summary.pdf (Adobe Acrobat).
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