Comparison of Tolling Strategies for Highway 407 in the Greater Toronto Area

Tolling strategies recently tested for Highway 407 in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) are described and analyzed. The GTA is one of the fastest-growing urban areas in North America, with a population of about 5 million. Highway 407, a six-/four-lane freeway in the GTA, has been considered for many years as a relief for Highway 401. It is the busiest highway in North America and is used by more than 1 million vehicles per day. Highway 407 is being planned and constructed as a toll highway. Four strategies are compared. In the base strategy, the toll rate per kilometer is fixed and the value of the toll paid depends on the distance traveled on the highway. In Strategy 2, vehicles on Highway 407 are tolled on the entrance ramps as well as at some points on the highway (main “virtual” plazas). In Strategies 3 and 4, each driver has two choices. The first is to pay a toll depending on the distance traveled. The second is to pay a certain fixed toll once the driver crosses certain points on the highway (mainline plazas) and on the exit ramps. The strategies are compared from the points of view of the number of users, the vehicle-kilometers on the highway, the revenues, and the average toll paid. The GTA mathematical model, within the EMME/2 environment, is used. The mathematical model and the evaluation process are described.