ASSESSING THE TRAFFIC AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF THE WEST GATE BRIDGE TOLL REMOVAL --14TH ARRB CONFERENCE, 28 AUGUST - 2 SEPTEMBER, 1988, CANBERRA, ACT, AUSTRALIA; PROC. PARTS 1 - 8

In the current period of declining funds for road construction projects, the potential of tolls to provide the necessary finance for needy projects is tempting. However, the setting of tolls on a facility to achieve optimum utilization and return on investment, particularly where alternative routes are available, is somewhat risky. The toll on the West gate bridge in Melbourne was removed by the state government in November 1985. This caused significant changes to the distribution of traffic on the yarra river crossings, including a 45 per cent increase in traffic using the West gate bridge. This paper analyses the impact of the toll removal. A comprehensive traffic counting program enabled the traffic impacts of the toll removal in the Melbourne port area to be examined. It then investigates the benefits and costs to the public as a result of the toll removal. Large community benefits attributable to the removal of the toll were achieved by reduced travel times and toll collection costs. Overall, the net cost of removing the toll was estimated to be approximately $11,000 per day. Other benefits including the reduction in congestion and travel times on the alternative routes are investigated. Finally, an economic analysis of the appropriateness and timing of tollways is presented. This has particular applications to existing and future tollway facilities (a). For the covering record of the conference, see IRRD no 808936.