Flexible Charge Measures Used on Toll Roads

In fiscal 2003, the Road Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport in Japan performed demonstration projects concerning diverse and flexible charge measures for toll roads. The goals were to promote the effective use of roads by encouraging traffic to switch from general purpose roads to toll roads, improving roadside environments, mitigating congestion, and promoting traffic safety measures. This study analyzes the results of the 22 projects. As a result of the bureau's efforts, traffic on the toll-free general purpose roads decreased and traffic on the toll roads increased, with traffic congestion in the affected areas subsequently eased. The projects that were intended to eliminate commuter congestion in regional cities were in many cases particularly effective. However, this effectiveness varied according to the setting of the toll and the interchange section, the type of vehicles involved, the discount time zone, and the locational relationship between the general road and the toll road.