01129452

Component

Traffic congestion can be a major barrier to economic growth. Efficient public transport (PT) can be one of the potential solutions to the problem of urban road traffic congestion. Public transport systems can carry a significant amount of trips during congested hours improving overall transportation capacity and can release burden of excess demand on congested road networks. This paper presents a comparative assessment of international research valuing the congestion relief impacts of PT. It explores previous research valuing congestion relief impacts and examines secondary evidence demonstrating changes in mode split associated with changes in public transport. The research establishes a framework for estimating the monetary value of the congestion reduction impacts of public transport. Congestion relief impacts are valued at between 4.4 and 151.4 cents (Australian, 2008) per marginal vehicle km of travel with an average of 45.0 cents. Valuations are higher for circumstances with greater degrees of traffic congestion and also where both travel time and vehicle operating cost savings are considered. A simple model is presented to value the congestion relief benefits of PT based on population, trip rate, distance traveled and mode share. Using the average congestion valuation and mode shift evidence the model has been applied to a hypothetical city to demonstrate how congestion relief impacts might vary with city size and mode shift. Overall the analysis presents a simplified method to investigate the impact of public transport on traffic congestion. Further research is warranted to develop a comprehensive approach for establishing a measure of the congestion relief impacts of public transport.

01120148

09-0619

English

14p

2009

Transportation Research Board 88th Annual Meeting

DVD

Figures (2) ; References (29) ; Tables (6)

Congestion management systems; Developing countries; Economic growth; Operating costs; Private passenger vehicles; Public transit; Traffic congestion; Transportation modes; Travel time; Urban areas; Valuation

Congestion mitigation

Economics; Highways; Public Transportation

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2009 Paper #09-0619

TRIS, TRB

Jan 30 2009 4:52PM