Articlehybrid2025

Policy measures to reduce road congestion: What worked?

Paulo Rui Anciães · Yan Cheng · Stephen John Watkins

15 citations0/0 files storedJournal of Transport & Health

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Transportation Planning and Optimization Urban Transport and Accessibility Energy, Environment, and Transportation Policies

Abstract

Road congestion is a persistent problem. Increasing road capacity has not solved this problem, which requires measures to curb road use demand. This paper reviews recent evidence on the effectiveness of different types of policy measures in reducing congestion through reducing road use. The paper answers three questions: 1) what explains the success or failure of measures in reducing congestion?, 2) is the reduction of congestion sustained in the long term?, and 3) are combinations of measures more effective than single measures?. We searched the literature for studies assessing the effects of policy measures that aimed at reducing congestion through reducing road use demand. Restrictions to vehicle ownership tend to reduce congestion, but road use charging and vehicle restrictions are not always effective as road users circumvent the charges or restrictions. Soft measures such as incentives and the provision of information have mostly short-term effects. More evidence is needed on measures affecting fuel prices, high-occupancy vehicle lanes, and parking policies. Measures to reduce road use demand are more effective when combined with measures to improve public transport. Policies to reduce congestion in the long term need to account for possible adaptations in road user behaviour and provide alternatives to road travel. • Review of effectiveness of policies to reduce congestion through reducing road use. • Restrictions to vehicle ownership tend to reduce congestion. • Road users often circumvent road use charges and vehicle restrictions. • Incentives and provision of information have mostly short-term effects. • Policies are more effective when combined with public transport improvements.

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References

2009Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement 2009Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement 2011The Fundamental Law of Road Congestion: Evidence from US Cities 2004Still Stuck in Traffic: Coping with Peak-Hour Traffic Congestion 1998The Law of Peak-Hour Expressway Congestion 2011The Stockholm congestion charges—5 years on. Effects, acceptability and lessons learnt 2008The Stockholm congestion – charging trial 2006: Overview of effects 2013The effect of transport policies on car use: Evidence from Latin American cities

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