Planning for Congestion Pricing Policies in the Middle East: Public Acceptability and Revenue Distribution

Abstract

This study considered two types of congestion pricing, high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes and cordon pricing, and the factors influencing their public acceptability if they are to be implemented in Abu Dhabi city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A revealed preference (RP) and stated preference (SP) surveys were conducted in the city to collect data. The public acceptability was analyzed based on respondents’ willingness to pay (WTP) a toll or cordon fee to circumvent congestion. Furthermore, the distribution of the generated revenue was analyzed as an additional indicator of public acceptability. The results indicated that trip conditions (travel speed, travel distance, and trip urgency); respondents’ age, income, employment status, and car ownership; and toll fees are significant factors in determining public acceptability of HOT lanes, while respondents’ average monthly income, age, employment status, car ownership, and saving in travel time are significant factors of determining public acceptability of cordon pricing.