Topics in the Economics of Traffic Congestion

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The purpose of this research is to analyze four topics related to the economic theory of urban transportation. Given the huge costs of major new transportation projects in downtown areas, as well as the political opposition to such projects, the current trend in urban transportation policy is to utilize existing capacity more effectively. This entails primarily demand reallocation across travel modes, time of day, and links of the urban traffic network. The dominant cause of the inefficient utilization of existing capacity is that urban car travel is underpriced because drivers do not pay for the congestion they impose on others. Three of the topics concern various aspects of congestion pricing. The first asks the question; If efficient congestion pricing is employed, what proportion of the costs of constructing and operating an urban traffic network will be covered by tolls? The second examines efficient parking policy by analyzing how much space, both on- and off-street should be provided for parking and how should fees be set. The third topic considers some practical aspects of the use of congestion pricing at major metropolitan airports to replace the current system of weight- based landing fees levied on airplane. The final topic investigates how individuals coordinate their daily schedules (leisure and work activities) over time and space, with the aim of assessing the desirability of government policy to encourage more flexible working hours.