Urban Congestion Pricing: Driver Attitudes & Willingness-to-Pay Survey

Welcome to this survey on urban transportation and traffic management. This survey is being conducted to understand how drivers and residents feel about different approaches to managing traffic congestion. Your participation is entirely voluntary, and you may stop at any time. There are no right or wrong answers — we are interested in your honest opinions. Your responses are confidential and will be reported only in aggregate. The results will be used to inform transportation policy discussions. The survey takes approximately 8–10 minutes to complete. By proceeding, you indicate your consent to participate.

How often do you drive in or through your city's central area?

• Daily
• Several times a week
• Weekly
• A few times per month
• Rarely (less than monthly)
• I do not currently drive

Which best describes the area where you do most of your driving?

• City center / urban core
• Inner suburbs
• Outer suburbs / exurban
• Small town / rural
• Mix of areas

What are your usual reasons for traveling into the central area? Select all that apply.

• Work / commute
• Errands / shopping
• Appointments (e.g., medical, government)
• Leisure / entertainment
• Transporting others (e.g., family, carpool)
• Business / deliveries
• Pass-through (not stopping in the area)
• Other

How familiar are you with the concept of congestion pricing?

• Very familiar
• Somewhat familiar
• I've heard of it but don't know details
• Not at all familiar

<p>Before we ask your opinions, here is a brief description:</p><p><strong>Congestion pricing</strong> is a policy where drivers pay a fee to enter a designated zone in a city's central area during certain hours. The goals are to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and generate revenue that can be reinvested in transportation. Fees may vary by time of day, and exemptions or discounts may be offered for certain groups.</p><p>Examples of cities with congestion pricing include London, Stockholm, and Singapore. Some cities are currently exploring or implementing similar programs.</p><p>Please keep this description in mind as you answer the following questions.</p>

In the past 30 days, did you drive into the area that would be (or is) covered by the congestion pricing zone?

• Yes
• No
• Not sure

Approximately how many times did you drive into the congestion zone in the past 30 days?

• 1–2 times
• 3–5 times
• 6–10 times
• 11–20 times
• More than 20 times

When do you most often drive into the zone?

• Morning (6–10 am)
• Midday (10 am–3 pm)
• Afternoon/evening (3–7 pm)
• Night (7 pm–6 am)

When you chose not to drive into the zone, what did you do instead? Select all that apply.

• Took an alternate route around the zone
• Traveled at a different time
• Used public transit
• Delayed the trip to another day
• Did not make the trip at all
• Used ride-hail or taxi
• Walked or cycled
• Other

Overall, to what extent do you support or oppose implementing a congestion charge in your city?

How likely would you be to change your driving behavior (e.g., drive less, shift times) in response to a congestion charge?

How fair or unfair do you think congestion pricing would be overall?

How fair or unfair do you think congestion pricing would be for low-income drivers?

How fair or unfair do you think congestion pricing would be for small business owners who rely on vehicle deliveries?

How fair or unfair do you think congestion pricing would be for people who commute into the city for work?

What is the highest daily charge you would consider acceptable to enter the zone during peak hours?

• No charge is acceptable ($0)
• $1–$3
• $4–$6
• $7–$9
• $10–$14
• $15–$19
• $20 or more

Please rank the following uses of congestion pricing revenue from most to least important to you.

1. Improve public transit service
2. Reduce public transit fares
3. Road and bridge maintenance
4. Pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
5. Traffic safety programs
6. Neighborhood air and noise mitigation near the zone
7. General city budget

Rank the following policy design features from most to least important to you.

1. Low-income discounts
2. Off-peak discounts
3. Daily price cap
4. Resident discounts
5. Transparent public reporting of how revenue is spent

We'd like to understand your views a bit more. An AI moderator will ask a couple of brief follow-up questions about your thoughts on congestion pricing.

Based on your responses in this survey, is there anything else you think city leaders should consider about congestion pricing?

What is your age?

• 18–24
• 25–34
• 35–44
• 45–54
• 55–64
• 65+
• Prefer not to say

Which best describes your gender?

• Woman
• Man
• Non-binary
• Prefer to self-describe
• Prefer not to say

Do you currently hold a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No
• Prefer not to say

Do you have regular access to a car or light truck?

• Yes, always
• Sometimes
• No

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• Less than high school
• High school or equivalent
• Some college / associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Graduate or professional degree
• Prefer not to say

What is your current employment status?

• Employed full-time
• Employed part-time
• Self-employed
• Student
• Homemaker / caregiver
• Retired
• Unemployed and seeking work
• Not seeking paid work
• Prefer not to say

What is your total annual household income before taxes?

• Under 25,000
• 25,000–49,999
• 50,000–74,999
• 75,000–99,999
• 100,000–149,999
• 150,000 or more
• Prefer not to say

Thank you for completing this survey! Your responses have been recorded and will be used in aggregate to inform congestion pricing policy discussions. Your individual answers will remain confidential. If you have questions about this research, please contact the study team.