Cambridge Futures: Forecating the Effect of Congestion Charging on Land Use and Transport

Abstract

This chapter tests a congestion charging scheme for Cambridge using a MEPLAN land-use transport model combined with a SATURN traffic model. The scheme would include a daily toll for drivers crossing a cordon around the edge of the city and a lower charge for residents driving entirely within the cordon. The congestion charge would dramatically reduce the number of cars entering the city and improve traffic conditions. However, the charge would result in higher property prices as higher-income groups would displace lower socioeconomic groups by outbidding them to move into the city in order to avoid paying the cordon charge. This would increase the cost of living and employersâ production costs, and some employers would move out of the city, especially those in the retail and service sectors. The revenue raised and environmental benefits might be insufficient to compensate for the negative impacts on the local economy and the social equity. Cambridge Futures then tested the congestion charging scheme in combination with transportation investments. These would include expanding the public transit system and creating an orbital road outside the cordon linking the park-and-ride sites together and making it easier for through-traffic to bypass the city. This combination of road user charging with transportation improvements has a synergistic effect, making areas outside the city more accessible, and reducing average rents by facilitating more residential dispersal.