The dynamics of congestion and pricing policy. In this contribution we present an approach in which two dynamic models are combined to provide the foundation of the dynamics of congestion charging. Traffic demand is dealt with by the bottleneck model of Vickrey (1969) while traffic operations are described with the LWR model (Lighthill and Whitham 1955 en Richards 1956). The combined model allows us to analyze user equilibrium and the system optimum conditions in a network. Application of an optimal dynamic toll will result in non congested traffic operations. The use of the combined model provides us with some surprising insights in the mechanisms of congestion. A jam blocking back may also affect travelers who don’t need to pass the bottleneck. Applying an optimal toll will induce a positive impact for these travelers as travel cost will decrease. Consequently traffic demand will increase, this, however without introducing congestion. So the introduction of congestion pricing may have a significant positive impact on the performance of a network. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting