Details:

Alternative Title:
Volume I: Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel;Volume II: James River Bridge;Volume III: Coleman Bridge;
Creators:
Robertson, R. N ; Allen, Gary R
Robertson, R. N ; Allen, Gary R Less -
Corporate Creators:
Virginia Highway & Transportation Research Council
Corporate Contributors:
United States. Federal Highway Administration
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Bridges Toll Bridges Toll Bridges--Tidewater Traffic Congestion
Publication/ Report Number:
VHTRC 78-r4
Resource Type:
Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:
Virginia
TRIS Online Accession Number:
675395
OCLC Number:
6814513
Corporate Publisher:
Virginia Transportation Research Council
Abstract:
The purpose of the first report 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. The purpose of the second report was to monitor and report the effects that the removal of the tolls on the James River Bridge had upon travel activity in the Tidewater area. Questionnaire surveys taken prior to and five months after the removal of the tolls were utilized to gather data from the motorists using the facility. Information from mechanical and manual volume counts supplemented the questionnaire data. It was concluded that the tolls had been a barrier to travel across the James River. After the tolls were removed, traffic volumes increased by 20.9%, which was a 15.4% increase over the volumes that would have been expected had the tolls not been lifted. The percentage of delivery and tractor-trailer trucks did not increase during the after period, thus indicating that trade and services have not expanded in the area since the tolls were removed. The vehicular occupancy rate decreased and individuals made trips across the river 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. 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. The third report presents the results of a study of the effects of the removal of tolls at the James P. Coleman Bridge at Yorktown. Emphasis is placed upon examining immediate impacts; viz., changes in demand for travel, vehicle occupancy rates, carpooling activity, origin and destination patterns, and changes in jobs and residences. A survey methodology, supplemented with information from mechanical and manual traffic volume and composition counts, was used as the means of data collection. In general, the removal of tolls precipitated some increase in traffic volumes; however, the 3.0% increase over the established historical trend was significantly smaller than the increase for either the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel or the James River Bridge. Vehicle occupancy rates and carpooling did not, however, appear to be significantly affected by the removal of tolls. Similarly, origin and destination patterns remained unaltered after the removal of the tolls.

Volume I: Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel

Volume II: James River Bridge

Volume III: Coleman Bridge


Format:
PDF
Collection(s):
US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:0e50fae37f9cc49d89b422115a22c11a68ef979a343513cff4a2897f7afed2b9
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/18890/dot_18890_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

• 	Volume II: James River Bridge	pdf
  	Volume III: Coleman Bridge	pdf

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