Forecasting toll traffic: energy and other impacts

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1981 · Traffic Q.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6723283

Greenbaum, D W

This analysis focuses on passenger-car activity and attempts to shed some light on the question that is asked so often these days: what is going to happen to future toll road traffic, particularly as influenced by the energy situation. Three main points are covered: (1) a look at the recent losses in passenger car traffic experienced on most toll facilities; (2) a brief analysis of factors causing these losses together with an attempt at forecasting future passenger-car-traffic trends; and, (3) an observation on conditions that may be influencing long-term traffic trends to an even greater degree than the energy situation. Considering the expected energy situation, passenger-car traffic on toll facilities can be expected to increase but generally at a very modest rate. The costs of operating and maintaining toll facilities will rise at a substantially faster rate than the toll traffic. For many toll road operators, periodic toll increases will be a fact of life. In summary, it appears that forecasting techniques, based on detailed analyses of actual operating results, are still valid in these times of change. In the future, the impacts of fuel shortages or prices, assuming no catastrophic changes, probably will be minimal. Changing life styles and economic considerations, however, should be the principal concerns and these will keep automobile traffic from growing as it once did.

• OSTI ID: 6723283
• Journal Information: Traffic Q.; (United States), Vol. 35:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
ROADS
CHARGES
AUTOMOBILES
AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
CORRELATIONS
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ENERGY SHORTAGES
ENERGY SUPPLIES
FORECASTING
INCOME
LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES
LIFE STYLES
MAINTENANCE
PRICES
TRAFFIC CONTROL
VOLUME
CONTROL
FUELS
SHORTAGES
VEHICLES
320203* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Transportation- Land & Roadway
292000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Supply
Demand & Forecasting
290200 - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics & Sociology