The Feasibility of Implementing a Congestion Charge on the Halifax Peninsula: Filling the “Missing Link” of Implementation

Abstract

Congestion charges pose a policy dilemma because of the need to balance the management of a quasi-public good along with the correction of negative externalities on the one hand against the needs of economic, demographic, and urban growth along with citizen acceptance on the other. The literature provides detailed rationale for congestion charges but minimal consideration on how to implement such charges. The purpose of this article is to expose some of the technical and administrative issues that come with implementing congestion charges. The Halifax Peninsula is used as a case study to illuminate the topic. Drawing on this case, we spell out ten ex ante implementation criteria that can be used to assess implementation considerations in any given congestion charge context.