Author Description

This report provides a set of tools to enable analysis and measurement of the impacts of toll pricing, toll payment, toll collection technology, and other aspects of toll implementation and rate changes on low-income and minority populations. The guidebook shows the practitioner when and how to apply the tools in the toolbox through an eight-step process framework corresponding to the typical transportation project planning and development process. The guidebook and toolbox together provide an assessment framework and supporting tools to measure the impacts of tolling on such factors as mobility, access, and household expenditures, as well as tools to engage low-income and minority populations. In providing step-by-step instructions, the guidebook cross-references to the tools in the toolbox. The toolbox has five sections: tools, case examples, reference tables, checklists, and scenarios. Additional information about each of the featured tools and case examples is found at the beginning of the respective tools and case examples sections of the toolbox. The checklists include a description and instructions. The reference tables are briefly described within their respective steps, with a brief explanation at the beginning of each table. Each of the three scenarios--two generic example toll implementation projects and one rate change project--addresses how tools may be applied at every step and is self-explanatory. The process framework and application of tools are scalable depending on the potential for disproportionately high and adverse effects of the toll implementation or rate change on minority and low-income populations. The results of this research may be used by federal, state, and local transportation officials, policy makers, and practitioners concerned with evaluating the impact of toll implementation or rate changes on minority and low-income populations.