Seeking factors to increase the public’s acceptability of road-pricing schemes: case study of Spain

摘要

User acceptability has become a critical issue for the successful implementationudof transport pricing measures and policies. Although severaludstudies have addressed the public acceptability of road pricing, littleudevidence can be found of the effects of pricing strategies. The acceptabilityudof alternative schemes for a toll network already in operation isudan issue to be tackled. This paper contributes to the limited literature inudthis field by exploring perceptions toward road-pricing schemes amongudtoll road users. On the basis of a nationwide survey of toll road usersudin Spain, the study developed several binomial logit models to analyzeuduser acceptability of three approaches: express toll lanes, a time-basedudpricing approach, and a flat fee (vignette) system. The results showudnotable differences in user acceptability by the type of charging schemeudproposed. Express toll lanes were more acceptable by travelers whoudperceived greater benefits from saving travel time. The acceptabilityudof time-based approaches (peak versus off-peak) decreased for usersudwho felt forced to use the toll road, whereas this was not an aspect thatudsignificantly influenced users’ support for flat fee schemes. In addition,uda flat fee strategy was more acceptable for long-distance trips andudtruck drivers who regularly used the toll facilities. The results from thisudanalysis can inform policy makers and planners for the promotion ofudmore efficient, socially inclusive, and publicly acceptable road-pricingudschemes.