Citation

Myers S. Transp. Res. Rec. 1974; 494: 21-24.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1974, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper discusses collecting motor vehicle user charges by time-calibrated self-canceling tickets (timer-tickets). In a designated area, a timer-ticket, about the size of a 3- by 5-in. (76- by 127-mm) card, would be displayed on the windshield of an automobile to show whether the driver paid for the vehicle to be in the area. The timer-ticket, when bent or scratched, changes color to red. This shows that the ticket has been activated. It also starts a chemical reaction that, after a preset time, results in a second color change, to blue. This shows that time is up. The ticket has canceled itself. The paper emphasizes that the administrative simplicity and the ease of sale of timer-tickets would be profitable to local governments. It also discusses the categories in which timer-tickets may be used: overnight parking, historic area parking, toll collecting, and congestion pricing.