Evaluation of congestion pricing alternatives in the Twin Cities

A congestion pricing study for the Twin Cities metropolitan area was conducted in 1995-1996 by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Council of Minneapolis and St. Paul (Twin Cities), with sponsorship by FHWA. The effort was designated a congestion pricing preproject study by FHWA. After an initial screening, 11 pricing options for the Twin Cities were considered. Five regionwide pricing options were ultimately evaluated in detail. Because of the need to understand the relationships and effects of various pricing options, it was necessary to develop and apply adequate evaluation criteria to those options. An evaluation matrix was created to help planners and decision makers make recommendations concerning implementation of congestion pricing options and pricing features within those options that best meet identified objectives.