1. Fraser River Crossing Pre- and Post- Study
16th TRB National Transportation Applications Conference
May, 2017

2. BACKGROUND Context Study Objectives
There is strong demand for travel across the Fraser River. This travel demand is served by a network of bridges, roads, transit
The Port Mann Bridge (PMB) project increased both the bridge capacity and the price of crossing it
Pre- and post- studies are complex undertakings and no standard methodology exists
Study Objectives
Identify effect of new Port Mann Bridge on travel behaviour
Be a pilot for pre- and post- studies

3. METHODOLOGY Household recall survey
Asked individuals from the study area about trips made by all members of their household across the Fraser River
Issued in two waves (~5,500 households each)
Pre-project survey (Fall 2012)
No additional capacity, no tolling
Post-project survey (Fall 2014)
Additional capacity, tolling at full rate
Vehicle counts on all the bridges
70-75% of the trips were conducted during the week, the rest in the weekend

4. Crossings in study area
Alex Fraser
Pattullo
SkyBridge
Port Mann
Golden Ears
All modes
Transit only
No toll
Transit fare
Tolled

5. TIMELINE 2012 2013 2014 Pre-Survey Post-Survey
Survey done with 6 lanes, counts based on 8 lanes
Pre-Survey
Post-Survey
Sept 18
3 EB lanes open on new PMB
Dec 1
8 lanes of PMB open at $1.50
Express bus service begins
Mar 1
Non-registered drivers pay $3 toll
Jun Free trip promotion ends
Dec 20
SFPR opens
Dec 1
All 10 lanes open
Dec 25
Full toll takes effect

6. ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES
Insufficient traffic counts for validation
Difficult to differentiate real change from random day-to-day fluctuations
Random or systemic sample issues (retired vs. employed)
Concurrent changes in external factors such as
Population and employment
Economy (GDP, exchange rate, unemployment, etc.)
Fuel prices and transit fares
Transportation infrastructure (Highway 17)
Changes to transit service (555)

7. MAJOR FINDINGS Tolling of the Port Mann changed travel behaviour:
Primary change
Trip diversion - more trips on neighbouring bridges than before
Peaking - more rush hour trips on Port Mann than before
Secondary change
Trip suppression – fewer crossings than expected, given population growth
Mode – new Port Mann transit service is popular, but unlikely that many passengers shifted from driving over Port Mann
Origin-Destination
Unclear
Trip distances – no clear pattern
No change
Departure times

8. UNRESOLVED QUESTIONS Future demand for travel on Port Mann Bridge
Will people get used to the toll rates over time?
Or will land use and travel patterns change to avoid the tolls?
The effects of tolling of additional bridges/mobility pricing
Long-term tolling policy and its implications
Future of pre- and post- studies

9. Thank you!