a comparative network simulation of different methods of traffic restraint.

the concept of a pricing system as a means of controlling congestion has often been proposed. this report describes the simulation of three practical methods of implementing road pricing. these are parking charges, a cordon of charges about a network centre, and pricing point systems. the effects of each scheme are compared with those predicted for a marginal social cost pricing system, and an assessment of the capacity of the road network with and without a variety of restraint schemes is also obtained. the main features of the analysis can be summarised as:- 1. the maximum benefits derived by each of the three practical schemes are remarkably similar and are about 60 per cent of the best possible benefit. 2. the area over which the restraint scheme applies is of critical importance, and if this includes most of the congested parts of the network, there is little advantage in extending control over a yet wider area. 3. parking schemes show a fair degree of tolerance to the actual charges selected but would have to be effectively enforced to obtain equivalent results to other schemes. 4. restraint policies are needed to obtain the full benefit from the uprating of the ring road to motorway standards. (a).