The Value of Travel Time and Reliability: Commuting on 407 ETR

The Value of Travel Time and Reliability: Commuting on 407 ETR examines what commuters pay to use 407 ETR relative to what they receive in return—primarily in the form of time savings and more predictable commute times. To determine the extent to which 407 ETR provides time savings, and to quantify reliability of 407 ETR travel times relative to other routes, three distinct data sources were used: Global Positioning System (GPS) data; cellular networks; and a field study, composed of volunteers. The results show that 407 ETR routes offer time savings that are large while also improving the predictability of commute times. The case of 407 ETR shows that commuters are willing to pay direct charges for road use if they see a sufficient value proposition in terms of time savings and increased reliability.