| Principal Investigator | Carlos A. del Valle – González |
| Final Report (DOI) | Available Soon |
| TRID | Available Soon |
| Policy Brief | Available Soon |
| RIP | View RIP entry |
Abstract
A way of mitigating congestion is the reduction of vehicle-miles traveled per capita (VMTpc). VMTpc serves as an indicator for resource allocation, budgeting, planning, policymaking, and decision making. The reduction of the VMTpc is linked to public and social goals like better air quality, sustainable and healthy environments, and the reduction of fuel consumption, among others impacts. Aiming to achieve these goals, decision-makers look to stimulate changes in population behavior through the design and implementation of incentives and deterrents. Implementation examples of financial incentives and operational strategies to reduce traffic congestion and VMTs in the United States (U.S.) have led to diverse results. This project will study the acceptability, implantability, and the impact of the implementation of positive financial incentives aiming toward the reduction of VMTs using alternative means of transportation to the private motor vehicle. A combined approach is proposed that will incorporate secondary data with user and expert knowledge and a pilot study to examine the acceptability and potential for implementation of travelers’ financial incentives to reduce VMT. A survey will determine the travelers’ willingness-to-accept (WTA) incentives to change their behavior and accept VMT reduction alternatives by means of Stated Preference questions and Discrete Choice Analysis. A Pilot Study will evaluate the acceptability and effectiveness of positive financial incentives to reduce VMT of private motor vehicles by promoting transit and micro-mobility alternatives. An Expert Opinion Survey (EOS) will be developed to determine the experts’ opinions on the feasibility and effectiveness of positive incentives to reduce VMT. The information and the approach to be generated by this research will add knowledge that can be used by academicians, practitioners, and government officials for the design of policies for financial incentives in similar mid-size urban areas and college towns.
