Is road pricing viable in a small urban area? A Wellington case study

This paper examines the reasons why Wellington is considering road pricing as a tool to manage congestion. It explores its unique geographical and topographic structure that constrains its strategic transportation network. The paper considers the economic and legislative contexts that contribute to a unique environment where road pricing may be a real option. The paper then considers the viability of road pricing in the context of Wellington. It investigates whether road pricing options exist where the revenue streams are sufficient to be financially self sufficient. The economic efficiency of road pricing is examined in terms of transport benefits generated, such as travel time savings, to ensure that road pricing is economically viable. This paper considers the contribution of road pricing to broader objectives such as environmental sustainability and other objectives mandated by New Zealand legislation. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E214666.