Analysis of factors affecting willingness to pay for high-occupancy-toll lanes: Results from stated-preference survey of travelers

Abstract

This study examines the feasibility of implementing high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes in a Middle Eastern country to obtain an improved understanding of such a policy and how it may affect the behavior of travelers in this region. This study focuses on the relationship between travelers' willingness to pay (WTP) for HOT lanes and different factors, such as traveler characteristics and trip conditions. A combination of the stated preference and revealed preference surveys was used to collect data, and the analysis is based on approximately 6000 responses. Urgency, speed, and distance are three trip conditions that were utilized to determine drivers' WTP to use HOT lanes to avoid congestion. The influence of various traveler characteristics on drivers' WTP was also examined. The results indicated that WTP decreases as trip conditions improve. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that drivers' WTP to avoid congestion is affected by their income, trip frequency, nationality, and number of vehicles owned.