IMPACT OF REMOVAL OF TOLLS ON TRAVEL IN TIDEWATER VIRGINIA. VOLUME I - HAMPTON ROADS BRIDGE-TUNNEL

The purpose of this research was to monitor and report the effects that the removal of the tolls on the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel had upon travel activity in the Tidewater area. Before and after questionnaire surveys were utilized to gather data from the motorists using the facility. Information from mechanical and manual volume counts and telephone contacts with many officials from local governments, retail associations, real estate agencies, etc., supplemented the questionnaire data. It was concluded that the tolls had been a barrier to travel across Hampton Roads. After the tolls were removed traffic volumes increased by 41%, which was a 33.3% increase over the volumes that would have been expected had the tolls not been lifted. The increase in the percentage of trucks using the facility during the after period indicated increased trade and services in the region. The vehicular occupancy rate decreased and individuals made trips across the facility more frequently after the tolls were removed than they did when the tolls were in force. The percentage of nonessential trips, such as those for shopping, recreation, and social activity, increased after the tolls were removed. Young people (less than 21 years), retired persons, and housewives made many of those trips. The data also indicated that some people in the area changed, or intended to change, their jobs and residences as a result of the end to tolls.

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• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/18890
• Corporate Authors:

  Virginia Highway and Transportation Research Council

  Charlottesville, VA  United States 

  Virginia Department of Highways

  Traffic and Planning Division, 1221 East Broad Street
  Richmond, VA  United States  23219

  University of Virginia, Charlottesville

  Center for Transportation Studies, P.O. Box 400742
  Charlottesville, VA  United States  22904-4742

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Robertson, R N
  • Allen, G R
• Publication Date: 1977-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices;
• Pagination: 35 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Before and after studies; Data collection; Economic impacts; Impact studies; Interviewing; Questionnaires; Recreation; Shopping; Social impacts; Surveys; Toll tunnels; Tolls; Traffic counts; Traffic volume; Travel; Trip generation; Trucks; Vehicle occupancy
• Uncontrolled Terms: Trip rate
• Geographic Terms: Virginia
• Old TRIS Terms: Toll removal
• Subject Areas: Economics; Highways; Motor Carriers; Society; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00675394
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Virginia Transportation Research Council
• Report/Paper Numbers: VHTRC 78-R4
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 29 1995 12:00AM