Search

The development of road capacity is not in line with the development of the population and the increase in the number of vehicles. This has become a classic problem of transportation in the big cities of Indonesia, including in East Java Province. The existence of road capacity in accommodating vehicles must be resolved. One way to accommodate the number of vehicles is through the toll road. But comfortable conditions of the toll road can cause accidents. One factor causing this is the driver's behavior factors, as the toll road is a freeway, they tend to drive carelessly. On the other hand, high planning standards make the difference between toll roads and ordinary highways. Yet barrier-free road does not mean that the traffic accident problem can be resolved properly. This study aims to determine how significant is the influence of driver behavior factor in causing accidents. The methodology is done by analyzing the data using statistical methods. Based on the accident data obtained, a mathematical model with multiple linear regression analysis is made. The model connects the number of traffic accidents on the Surabaya-Gempol toll road with the number of accidents caused by driver factors. The results showed that the factors causing the accident were caused by less anticipated driver factors, carelessness, drowsiness, drunkenness, distance, etcetera. This variable has a significant effect on traffic accidents at Surabaya-Gempol Toll Road by 54%.

[ES] La finalidad de este proyecto es el desarrollo e implementación de una herramienta capaz de calcular itinerarios para vehículos de uso particular entre varias poblaciones. Esta herramienta proporcionará el mayor número de rutas alternativas posibles, especificando el tiempo aproximado que nos llevará completar cada ruta y el coste económico de los peajes de estas alternativas. Las rutas obtenidas no deberán de ser directamente comparables entre sí, en términos de costes en peajes y duración, proporcionando de esta forma mayor capacidad de decisión y un mayor control del coste de las rutas elegidas por los usuarios. Para el cálculo de la rutas se ha hecho uso del algoritmo de búsqueda heurística en grafos ponderados A*, que se ha modificado para que cumpla con las necesidades concretas de este proyecto. Además se ha obtenido una base de datos con datos reales que nos ha permitido probar el funcionamiento de nuestro producto en un entorno real. El sistema se ha implementado en el framework Ruby on Rails, también se ha hecho uso de los lenguajes Coffescript para la implementación de la interfaz y de la librería PostGIS para la base de datos., [EN] The purpose of this project is the development and implementation of a tool capable of calculating itineraries for private vehicles between various populations. This tool will provide the greatest number of alternative routes possible, specifying the approximate time it will take us to complete each route and the economic cost of tolls for these alternatives. The routes obtained will not have to be directly comparable between them, in terms of toll costs and duration, thus providing a greater decision capacity and a greater control of the cost of the routes chosen by the users. For the calculation of the routes, A* the heuristic search algorithm in weighted graphs has been used, which has been modified to meet the specific needs of this project. In addition, a database with real data has been obtained which has allowed us to test the operation of our product in a real environment. The system has been implemented in the Ruby on Rails framework, also the Coffescript languages have been used for the implementation of the interface and the PostGIS library for the database., [CA] La finalitat d’aquest projecte és el desenvolupament e implementació d’una eina capaç de calcular itineraris per a vehicles d’ús particular entre diverses poblacions. Aquesta eina proporcionarà el major nombre de rutes alternatives possibles, especificant el temps aproximat que ens portarà completar cada ruta i el cost econòmic dels peatges d’aquestes alternatives. Les rutes obtingudes no hauran de ser directament comparables entre si, en termes de costos en peatges i duració, proporcionant d’aquesta forma major capacitat de decisió i un major control del cost de les rutes triades pels usuaris. Per al càlcul de la rutes s’ha fet ús de l’algorisme de cerca heurística en grafs ponderats A*, que s’ha modificat perquè complisca amb les necessitats concretes d’aquest projecte. A més s’ha obtingut una base de dades amb dades reals que ens ha permés provar el funcionament del nostre producte en un entorn real. El sistema s’ha implementat en el framework Ruby on Rails, també s’ha fet ús dels llenguatges Coffescript per a la implementació de la interfície i de la llibreria PostGIS per a la base de dades.

[ES] La finalidad de este proyecto es el desarrollo e implementación de una herramienta capaz de calcular itinerarios para vehículos de uso particular entre varias poblaciones. Esta herramienta proporcionará el mayor número de rutas alternativas posibles, especificando el tiempo aproximado que nos llevará completar cada ruta y el coste económico de los peajes de estas alternativas. Las rutas obtenidas no deberán de ser directamente comparables entre sí, en términos de costes en peajes y duración, proporcionando de esta forma mayor capacidad de decisión y un mayor control del coste de las rutas elegidas por los usuarios. Para el cálculo de la rutas se ha hecho uso del algoritmo de búsqueda heurística en grafos ponderados A*, que se ha modificado para que cumpla con las necesidades concretas de este proyecto. Además se ha obtenido una base de datos con datos reales que nos ha permitido probar el funcionamiento de nuestro producto en un entorno real. El sistema se ha implementado en el framework Ruby on Rails, también se ha hecho uso de los lenguajes Coffescript para la implementación de la interfaz y de la librería PostGIS para la base de datos., [EN] The purpose of this project is the development and implementation of a tool capable of calculating itineraries for private vehicles between various populations. This tool will provide the greatest number of alternative routes possible, specifying the approximate time it will take us to complete each route and the economic cost of tolls for these alternatives. The routes obtained will not have to be directly comparable between them, in terms of toll costs and duration, thus providing a greater decision capacity and a greater control of the cost of the routes chosen by the users. For the calculation of the routes, A* the heuristic search algorithm in weighted graphs has been used, which has been modified to meet the specific needs of this project. In addition, a database with real data has been obtained which has allowed us to test the operation of our product in a real environment. The system has been implemented in the Ruby on Rails framework, also the Coffescript languages have been used for the implementation of the interface and the PostGIS library for the database., [CA] La finalitat d’aquest projecte és el desenvolupament e implementació d’una eina capaç de calcular itineraris per a vehicles d’ús particular entre diverses poblacions. Aquesta eina proporcionarà el major nombre de rutes alternatives possibles, especificant el temps aproximat que ens portarà completar cada ruta i el cost econòmic dels peatges d’aquestes alternatives. Les rutes obtingudes no hauran de ser directament comparables entre si, en termes de costos en peatges i duració, proporcionant d’aquesta forma major capacitat de decisió i un major control del cost de les rutes triades pels usuaris. Per al càlcul de la rutes s’ha fet ús de l’algorisme de cerca heurística en grafs ponderats A*, que s’ha modificat perquè complisca amb les necessitats concretes d’aquest projecte. A més s’ha obtingut una base de dades amb dades reals que ens ha permés provar el funcionament del nostre producte en un entorn real. El sistema s’ha implementat en el framework Ruby on Rails, també s’ha fet ús dels llenguatges Coffescript per a la implementació de la interfície i de la llibreria PostGIS per a la base de dades.

[ES] La finalidad de este proyecto es el desarrollo e implementación de una herramienta capaz de calcular itinerarios para vehículos de uso particular entre varias poblaciones. Esta herramienta proporcionará el mayor número de rutas alternativas posibles, especificando el tiempo aproximado que nos llevará completar cada ruta y el coste económico de los peajes de estas alternativas. Las rutas obtenidas no deberán de ser directamente comparables entre sí, en términos de costes en peajes y duración, proporcionando de esta forma mayor capacidad de decisión y un mayor control del coste de las rutas elegidas por los usuarios. Para el cálculo de la rutas se ha hecho uso del algoritmo de búsqueda heurística en grafos ponderados A*, que se ha modificado para que cumpla con las necesidades concretas de este proyecto. Además se ha obtenido una base de datos con datos reales que nos ha permitido probar el funcionamiento de nuestro producto en un entorno real. El sistema se ha implementado en el framework Ruby on Rails, también se ha hecho uso de los lenguajes Coffescript para la implementación de la interfaz y de la librería PostGIS para la base de datos., [EN] The purpose of this project is the development and implementation of a tool capable of calculating itineraries for private vehicles between various populations. This tool will provide the greatest number of alternative routes possible, specifying the approximate time it will take us to complete each route and the economic cost of tolls for these alternatives. The routes obtained will not have to be directly comparable between them, in terms of toll costs and duration, thus providing a greater decision capacity and a greater control of the cost of the routes chosen by the users. For the calculation of the routes, A* the heuristic search algorithm in weighted graphs has been used, which has been modified to meet the specific needs of this project. In addition, a database with real data has been obtained which has allowed us to test the operation of our product in a real environment. The system has been implemented in the Ruby on Rails framework, also the Coffescript languages have been used for the implementation of the interface and the PostGIS library for the database., [CA] La finalitat d’aquest projecte és el desenvolupament e implementació d’una eina capaç de calcular itineraris per a vehicles d’ús particular entre diverses poblacions. Aquesta eina proporcionarà el major nombre de rutes alternatives possibles, especificant el temps aproximat que ens portarà completar cada ruta i el cost econòmic dels peatges d’aquestes alternatives. Les rutes obtingudes no hauran de ser directament comparables entre si, en termes de costos en peatges i duració, proporcionant d’aquesta forma major capacitat de decisió i un major control del cost de les rutes triades pels usuaris. Per al càlcul de la rutes s’ha fet ús de l’algorisme de cerca heurística en grafs ponderats A*, que s’ha modificat perquè complisca amb les necessitats concretes d’aquest projecte. A més s’ha obtingut una base de dades amb dades reals que ens ha permés provar el funcionament del nostre producte en un entorn real. El sistema s’ha implementat en el framework Ruby on Rails, també s’ha fet ús dels llenguatges Coffescript per a la implementació de la interfície i de la llibreria PostGIS per a la base de dades.

A method for studying the expected traffic flow distribution between toll and alternative roads based on user behavior principles is proposed. It is assumed that the user’s behavior is rational: he always chooses the most suitable option. The proposed model takes into account the cost of fuel and lubricants, the time and toll of toll and alternative routes. This means that if the cost of toll and alternative roads is the same, the user will not care which route to choose. By changing the toll for 1 km, it is possible to affect the cost of the “expenses for the toll route” component and the corresponding traffic flow. Saturation of the road with vehicles will occur until, due to the complication of traffic on it, the total costs exceed those when driving another road.Analytical models are developed and proposed for:1) toll determination;2) traffic flow distribution between toll and alternative roads.The models provided information on the expected traffic flow distribution between toll and alternative routes. It is necessary for:1) economic justification of project attractiveness for private investors and project feasibility under concession;2) determination of traffic intensity, below which it is impractical for the authorities to set concession payments under the concession agreement.The use of the models proposed by the authors is presented on the materials of the project of the construction phase of the Great Kyiv Ring Road (Ukraine), Предложен метод исследования ожидаемого распределения транспортных потоков между платной и альтернативной автомобильными дорогами, в основе которого лежат поведенческие принципы пользователей. Предполагается, что поведение пользователя является рациональным: он всегда выбирает наиболее выгодный для себя вариант действий. В предложенной модели учитываются: стоимость расходов на горюче-смазочные материалы, затрат времени и расходов на оплату за проезд платным и альтернативным маршрутами. Это означает, что в случае обеспечения одинаковой стоимости затрат при движении платной и альтернативной автомобильными дорогами пользователю будет безразлично, какой маршрут выбрать. Меняя тариф за проезд 1 км платной автомобильной дорогой, можно влиять на стоимость составляющей «расходы на оплату движения платным маршрутом» и на соответствующий транспортный поток. Насыщение автомобильной дороги транспортными средствами будет происходить до тех пор, пока, из-за осложнения движения по ней, общие затраты не превысят такие затраты при движении другой дорогой.Разработаны и предложены аналитические модели:1) определения тарифа за проезд по платной дороге;2) распределения транспортного потока между платной и альтернативной автомобильными дорогами.В результате использования моделей получена информация об ожидаемом распределении транспортного потока между платным и альтернативным маршрутам движения. Она является необходимой:1) при экономическом обосновании привлекательности проекта для частных инвесторов и целесообразности реализации проекта на условиях концессии;2) для определения интенсивности движения, ниже которой органам власти устанавливать в условиях концессионного договора требования по оплате концессионных платежей нецелесообразно.Использование предложенных авторами моделей представлено на материалах проекта очереди строительства Большой кольцевой дороги вокруг г. Киев (Украина), Запропоновано метод дослідження очікуваного розподілу транспортних потоків між платною та альтернативною автомобільними дорогами, в основі якого лежать поведінкові принципи користувачів. Передбачається, що поведінка користувача є раціональною: він завжди обирає найбільш вигідний для себе варіант дій. В запропонованій моделі враховуються: вартість витрат паливно-мастильних матеріалів, витрат часу, витрат на оплату руху платним та альтернативним маршрутами. Це означає, що у разі забезпечення однакової вартості витрат на рух альтернативною та платною автомобільною дорогами користувачу буде байдуже, який маршрут обрати. Змінюючи тариф за проїзд 1 км платною автомобільною дорогою, можна впливати на вартість складової «витрати на оплату руху платним маршрутом» і, відповідно, на транспортний потік, що буде ним рухатись. Насичення автомобільної дороги транспортними засобами буде відбуватись доти, доки вартість складових «витрати часу», «спожиті паливно-мастильні матеріали» через ускладнення руху нею, не призведуть до перевищення загальних витрат користувача при русі іншою дорогою.Розроблено та запропоновано аналітичні моделі:1) визначення тарифу за проїзд платною дорогою;2) розподілу транспортного потоку між платною та альтернативною автомобільними дорогами.В результаті використання моделей отримана інформація про очікуваний розподіл транспортного потоку між платним та альтернативним маршрутами руху. Вона є необхідною:1) під час економічного обґрунтування привабливості проекту для приватних інвесторів та доцільності реалізації проекту на умовах концесії;2) визначення інтенсивності руху для платної дороги, нижче якої органам влади передбачувати сплату концесійних платежів в умовах концесійного договору недоцільно.Використання запропонованих авторами моделей представлено на матеріалах проекту черги будівництва Великої кільцевої дороги навколо м. Києва (Україна)

The development of road capacity is not in line with the development of the population and the increase in the number of vehicles. This has become a classic problem of transportation in the big cities of Indonesia, including in East Java Province. The existence of road capacity in accommodating vehicles must be resolved. One way to accommodate the number of vehicles is through the toll road. But comfortable conditions of the toll road can cause accidents. One factor causing this is the driver's behavior factors, as the toll road is a freeway, they tend to drive carelessly. On the other hand, high planning standards make the difference between toll roads and ordinary highways. Yet barrier-free road does not mean that the traffic accident problem can be resolved properly. This study aims to determine how significant is the influence of driver behavior factor in causing accidents. The methodology is done by analyzing the data using statistical methods. Based on the accident data obtained, a mathematical model with multiple linear regression analysis is made. The model connects the number of traffic accidents on the Surabaya-Gempol toll road with the number of accidents caused by driver factors. The results showed that the factors causing the accident were caused by less anticipated driver factors, carelessness, drowsiness, drunkenness, distance, etcetera. This variable has a significant effect on traffic accidents at Surabaya-Gempol Toll Road by 54%.

The conventional economic assessment of infrastructure projects using Cost-Benefit Analysis does not consider the differences between when the project is delivered by public or private sectors. This research has developed a novel methodology that considers whether the project is delivered publicly or in a partnership with private sector. This means that, for instance, for a toll road project, the methodology assesses whether it is more beneficial to be operated by government agencies or by private toll operator. The methodology can be incorporated in the existing infrastructure project assessment framework and would particularly be useful when project delivery options are considered.

Intercity travel congestion during the main national holidays takes place every year at different places around the world. Charge reduction measurements on existing toll roads have been implemented to promote an efficient use of the expressways and to reduce congestion on the public transit networks. However, some of these policies have had negative effects. A more comprehensive understanding of the determinants of holiday intercity travel patterns is critical for better policymaking. This paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of the road toll discount policy on mode choice behavior for intercity travel. A mixed logit model is developed to model the mode choices of intercity travelers, which is estimated based on survey data about intercity journeys from Beijing during the 2017 Chinese Spring Festival holiday. The policy impact is further discussed by elasticity and scenario simulations. The results indicate that the expressway toll discount does increase the car use and decrease the public transit usage. Given the decreased toll on expressways, the demand tends to shift from car to public transit, in an order of coach, high-speed rail, conventional rail, and airplane. When it comes to its effect on socio-demographic groups, men and lower-income travelers are identified to be more likely to change mode in response to variation of road toll. Finally, policy effectiveness is found to vary for travelers in different travel distance groups. Conclusions provide useful insights on road pricing management.

Intercity travel congestion during the main national holidays takes place every year at different places around the world. Charge reduction measurements on existing toll roads have been implemented to promote an efficient use of the expressways and to reduce congestion on the public transit networks. However, some of these policies have had negative effects. A more comprehensive understanding of the determinants of holiday intercity travel patterns is critical for better policymaking. This paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of the road toll discount policy on mode choice behavior for intercity travel. A mixed logit model is developed to model the mode choices of intercity travelers, which is estimated based on survey data about intercity journeys from Beijing during the 2017 Chinese Spring Festival holiday. The policy impact is further discussed by elasticity and scenario simulations. The results indicate that the expressway toll discount does increase the car use and decrease the public transit usage. Given the decreased toll on expressways, the demand tends to shift from car to public transit, in an order of coach, high-speed rail, conventional rail, and airplane. When it comes to its effect on socio-demographic groups, men and lower-income travelers are identified to be more likely to change mode in response to variation of road toll. Finally, policy effectiveness is found to vary for travelers in different travel distance groups. Conclusions provide useful insights on road pricing management.

Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world, with 17,504 islands. Of these, only approximately 6000 are inhabited (CAI-Asia Centre 2009). The five major islands are Kalimantan, Sumatra, Papua, Sulawesi, and Java. The archipelago bridges two continents, Asia and Australia. This strategic position has had great influence on the country’s cultural, social, political, and economic life., QC 20220610

Project evaluation is a process to measure impacts and risks of a project as a public good. Cost-Benefit Analysis is a most commonly used project evaluation methodology for major road projects. Cost-Benefit Analysis conducted for Australian toll road projects have tended to mirror those for non-toll road projects, because they generally treat tolls as a financial transfer. However, a number of project impacts and risk characteristics are unique to toll road projects. It is therefore hypothesised that Cost-Benefit Analysis for toll road projects should treat tolls uniquely, on the basis that risk allocations and concession arrangements are different. This paper reviews Cost-Benefit Analysis methodologies used to evaluate major public road projects. Examining the treatment of project impacts and risks in practice, and the outcomes of the analyses revealed both the advantages and limitations of each extant Cost-Benefit Analysis methodology used in practice. Moreover, the suitability of different methodologies in terms of Cost-Benefit Analysis for toll roads was assessed by studying project characteristics and risk characteristics of each project. Identifying an appropriate treatment of tolls contributes to determining an appropriate Cost-Benefit Analysis methodology for toll road projects. The refined methodology would ensure that all relevant impacts and risks of the toll road project are addressed in decision-making. This will provide a basis for ensuring that the full and true impact to the community is properly assessed.

[EN] The European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) was created in 2004 with the aim of ensuring interoperability among the existing electronic toll collection (ETC) systems in Europe. However, the lack of cooperation between groups of stakeholders has not made possible to achieve this goal ten years later. The purpose of this research is to determine the better way to achieve interoperability among the different ETC systems in Europe. Our study develops a review of the six main ETC systems available worldwide: Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Satellite systems (GNSS), Tachograph, and Mobile communications tolling systems. The research also provides some insight on different emerging technologies. By focusing on different operational and strategic aspects offered by each technology, we identify their main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and makes different recommendations to improve the current framework. The research concludes that given the diversity of advantages and inconveniences offered by each system, the selection of a certain ETC technology should also take into account its potential to overcome the weaknesses in the current ETC framework. In this line, different policy recommendations are proposed to improve the present ETC strategy at the EU.

[EN] The European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) was created in 2004 with the aim of ensuring interoperability among the existing electronic toll collection (ETC) systems in Europe. However, the lack of cooperation between groups of stakeholders has not made possible to achieve this goal ten years later. The purpose of this research is to determine the better way to achieve interoperability among the different ETC systems in Europe. Our study develops a review of the six main ETC systems available worldwide: Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Satellite systems (GNSS), Tachograph, and Mobile communications tolling systems. The research also provides some insight on different emerging technologies. By focusing on different operational and strategic aspects offered by each technology, we identify their main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and makes different recommendations to improve the current framework. The research concludes that given the diversity of advantages and inconveniences offered by each system, the selection of a certain ETC technology should also take into account its potential to overcome the weaknesses in the current ETC framework. In this line, different policy recommendations are proposed to improve the present ETC strategy at the EU.

[EN] The European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) was created in 2004 with the aim of ensuring interoperability among the existing electronic toll collection (ETC) systems in Europe. However, the lack of cooperation between groups of stakeholders has not made possible to achieve this goal ten years later. The purpose of this research is to determine the better way to achieve interoperability among the different ETC systems in Europe. Our study develops a review of the six main ETC systems available worldwide: Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Satellite systems (GNSS), Tachograph, and Mobile communications tolling systems. The research also provides some insight on different emerging technologies. By focusing on different operational and strategic aspects offered by each technology, we identify their main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and makes different recommendations to improve the current framework. The research concludes that given the diversity of advantages and inconveniences offered by each system, the selection of a certain ETC technology should also take into account its potential to overcome the weaknesses in the current ETC framework. In this line, different policy recommendations are proposed to improve the present ETC strategy at the EU.

[EN] The European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) was created in 2004 with the aim of ensuring interoperability among the existing electronic toll collection (ETC) systems in Europe. However, the lack of cooperation between groups of stakeholders has not made possible to achieve this goal ten years later. The purpose of this research is to determine the better way to achieve interoperability among the different ETC systems in Europe. Our study develops a review of the six main ETC systems available worldwide: Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Satellite systems (GNSS), Tachograph, and Mobile communications tolling systems. The research also provides some insight on different emerging technologies. By focusing on different operational and strategic aspects offered by each technology, we identify their main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and makes different recommendations to improve the current framework. The research concludes that given the diversity of advantages and inconveniences offered by each system, the selection of a certain ETC technology should also take into account its potential to overcome the weaknesses in the current ETC framework. In this line, different policy recommendations are proposed to improve the present ETC strategy at the EU.

[EN] The European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) was created in 2004 with the aim of ensuring interoperability among the existing electronic toll collection (ETC) systems in Europe. However, the lack of cooperation between groups of stakeholders has not made possible to achieve this goal ten years later. The purpose of this research is to determine the better way to achieve interoperability among the different ETC systems in Europe. Our study develops a review of the six main ETC systems available worldwide: Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Satellite systems (GNSS), Tachograph, and Mobile communications tolling systems. The research also provides some insight on different emerging technologies. By focusing on different operational and strategic aspects offered by each technology, we identify their main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and makes different recommendations to improve the current framework. The research concludes that given the diversity of advantages and inconveniences offered by each system, the selection of a certain ETC technology should also take into account its potential to overcome the weaknesses in the current ETC framework. In this line, different policy recommendations are proposed to improve the present ETC strategy at the EU.

The paper provides an evaluation of the Ecopass road pricing scheme for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010. The term Ecopass conveys the stated political objective of the scheme: a PASS to improve the quality of the urban environment (ECO). The scheme has actually improved the air quality in Milan, although the recommended PM10 threshold is still exceeded for a larger number of days than that recommended by EU directives. This paper estimates the costs and benefits of the scheme three years after its implementation using the same methodology applied in Rotaris et al. (2010) for the year 2008. The results indicate that the benefits still exceed the costs, and by an increasing amount, but at an annual decreasing rate of improvement. The Ecopass scheme has proved beneficial, but it seems to have exhausted its potential: little further gains in air quality could be obtained via a fiscal incentive to improve the abatement technology of the vehicles. The new administration, elected in June 2011, was faced with the task of deciding whether to dismiss, maintain or change the Ecopass scheme. The prevailing idea coming from the Ecopass Commission and from the advocacy groups was to extend both the area of application and the number of classes subject to the charge. In November 2011 the new administration decided to substitute Ecopass with Area C, a policy based on a congestion charge which incorporates some environmental elements

Vehicular toll roads are one component of many municipal transportation systems. Open communication windows, often used in tollbooths, facilitate essential communication and monetary transactions. However, the vehicle noise generated outside the booth is easily transmitted into the booth via the open window. Personnel working at toll collection plazas are exposed to extended, continuous traffic noise. Sustained noise levels of this nature may cause hearing loss, induce fatigue or stress, and reduce worker productivity. The annoyance and discomfort related to continuous noise exposure may create an unpleasant working condition and may affect the hospitality of the tollbooth operators and their attitude toward customers. Furthermore, the noise level may hinder communication with customers and may compromise safety. Reduction of the noise level and an improvement in speech intelligibility are highly desirable. The acoustics of a typical toll plaza and structural noise control strategies were modeled using a beam tracing technique. Noise control strategies involved the application sound absorbing material to the overhead canopy, the construction of sound absorbing partial barriers, and the treatment of tollbooth walls with sound absorbing material. In terms of noise control, the results suggest that the direct field is more important that the reflected field. The effects of active noise control (ANC) systems to reduce traffic noise and improve speech intelligibility at the toll plaza was investigated. The ANC systems included a range of headsets and a prototype external unit designed to create a local region of attenuation. Significant noise reduction can be achieved with a sealed, closed ear ANC headsets. However, the various systems seemed to have little positive effect upon speech intelligibility under traffic noise conditions. The result imply that the signal to noise ratio under toll plaza conditions is poor and that level overloading effects may further reduce int

Vehicular toll roads are one component of many municipal transportation systems. Open communication windows, often used in tollbooths, facilitate essential communication and monetary transactions. However, the vehicle noise generated outside the booth is easily transmitted into the booth via the open window. Personnel working at toll collection plazas are exposed to extended, continuous traffic noise. Sustained noise levels of this nature may cause hearing loss, induce fatigue or stress, and reduce worker productivity. The annoyance and discomfort related to continuous noise exposure may create an unpleasant working condition and may affect the hospitality of the tollbooth operators and their attitude toward customers. Furthermore, the noise level may hinder communication with customers and may compromise safety. Reduction of the noise level and an improvement in speech intelligibility are highly desirable. The acoustics of a typical toll plaza and structural noise control strategies were modeled using a beam tracing technique. Noise control strategies involved the application sound absorbing material to the overhead canopy, the construction of sound absorbing partial barriers, and the treatment of tollbooth walls with sound absorbing material. In terms of noise control, the results suggest that the direct field is more important that the reflected field. The effects of active noise control (ANC) systems to reduce traffic noise and improve speech intelligibility at the toll plaza was investigated. The ANC systems included a range of headsets and a prototype external unit designed to create a local region of attenuation. Significant noise reduction can be achieved with a sealed, closed ear ANC headsets. However, the various systems seemed to have little positive effect upon speech intelligibility under traffic noise conditions. The result imply that the signal to noise ratio under toll plaza conditions is poor and that level overloading effects may further reduce int