Abstract This paper examines the deadweight loss from collecting tolls on congested highways. Although this problem has been recognized in the literature, no attempt has been made to systematically examine the problem. Four economic models for commuter behavior associated with waiting at a toll booth were developed and analyzed. These models include (1) no tolls and no waiting, (2) tolls with no waiting, (3) waiting with no tolls, and (4) waiting with tolls. The results indicate that under quite reasonable circumstances, it may be optimal to not collect tolls if their collection requires that free-flowing traffic be stopped. In cases where traffic forms a queue because of a bottleneck, tolls may provide small welfare gains, but if toll collection creates waste in the form of administrative costs or rent-seeking behavior, the optimal solution may again be to not charge tolls.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Deadweight loss in highway toll collection


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1989-12-29


    Size :

    15 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Highway toll collection system

    WANG CHENGSHUO | European Patent Office | 2023

    Free access

    Largest deadweight carriers

    Engineering Index Backfile | 1955


    Cargo deadweight distribution

    Engineering Index Backfile | 1945


    Miniature Remote Deadweight Calibrator

    Supplee, Frank H., Jr. / Tcheng, Ping | NTRS | 1988