Exploring the Equity Impacts of Two Road Pricing Implementations Using a Traveler Behavior Survey: Full Facility Pricing on SR 520 in Seattle and the I-85 HOV-2 to HOT-3 Conversion in Atlanta

This paper reports survey findings on the equity impacts of variable tolling programs implemented on SR 520 in Seattle (Urban Partnership Agreement) and on I-85 in Atlanta (Congestion Reduction Demonstration Program). The analysis utilizes data from panel surveys administered in Seattle and Atlanta, in which all adult members of sampled households were asked to complete surveys both before and after tolling. The analysis focuses on three types of equity impacts: income, geographic and modal. Income equity impacts were greater in Seattle, compared to Atlanta, as were geographic equity impacts. In Atlanta, modal equity, as measured through impacts to carpoolers, was a greater concern. In conclusion, the type and intensity of the equity impacts differed across the two sites as a result of the differences in the design of the pricing strategy as well as differences in regional context.