| Congestion pricing, as one of the traffic demand management measures, has been applied in many countries all around the world. However, the problem concerning social equity of congestion pricing is also a controversial discussion. This study starts with the concept of equity and presents three aspects of equity which may be affected by congestion pricing: horizontal equity, longitudinal equity and spacial equity. Road resource occupation and traffic external cost are used to analysis horizontal equity. Broad travel cost and accessibility are used to analysis longitudinal equity and spacial equity. The impacts made by congestion pricing on equity are reflected by some indexes similar as Gini coefficient. With the methods above, the congestion pricing equity evaluation system is well established.Congestion pricing is implemented to the most congested link in a Nguyen&Dupuis network with two trip modes, which are car travelling and public transportation. Commuters on the network are classified by their value of time, and their trip choices are simulated. The equity impacts made by different congestion pricing amounts are evaluated by the evaluation system. After the analysis, several conclusions are obtained. Congestion pricing itself can internalize the external cost for being a measure of traffic demand management. Horizontal equity can be promoted significantly by congestion pricing. Congestion pricing applied on the link which is the route of public transportation tends to guarantee the benefit of vulnerable groups and high-income groups. Car users with low or average income incur loss because of congestion pricing. Longitudinal equity is decreased by the appliance of congestion pricing. When car users with average income have to change their travel route on account of congestion pricing, accessibility of commuters with the same destinations on the links besides the charging link may also be affected. The case of low income groups is more severe than that of high-income groups. |
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