“Congestion Pricing” is the practice of charging people more to drive in heavy-traffic areas during the most popular driving times; this results in less traffic congestion. Economist Johnathan Leape has an interesting report on how congestion pricing is going in London (very well, he says) and how it’s been made more progressive (using the taxes to subsidize public transportation).<\/p>\n
The charging zone […] is defined by a ring of roads that provide alternative routes for through traffic, at no charge. For those who cross the boundary, the cost was originally set at five pounds (about $10) a day, with zone residents entitled to a 90 percent discount. In 2005, the rate was raised to eight pounds (about $16). […]<\/p>\n
The border is enforced by video cameras, which were already common in London. Concerns about civil liberties have been diminished by the cameras’ effectiveness in reducing street crime. The cameras read vehicle license plates and a computer matches them against a list of those who have paid and those exempt (which, in London, includes emergency services vehicles, taxis, buses, low-emissions vehicles, and all two-wheelers).[…]<\/p>\n
The impact of the scheme exceeded expectations. In the first year of the charge, traffic delays in London dropped by 30 percent, journey time reliability increased by 30 percent, and average speeds rose 17 percent, reflecting a sharp fall in traffic jams at intersections (the time spent traveling at speeds less than 6 mph decreased by one-third). The charge also changed who was using the roads: private car trips dropped by 34 percent, and trucks and vans by 5 to 7 percent, but bus, taxi, and bike trips all rose sharply. The overall impact was a noticeable improvement in traffic conditions. […]<\/p>\n
By committing to plough all the revenues raised by the congestion charge into public transportation improvements, London has ensured that congestion pricing didn\u2019t just improve mobility for car drivers who can pay the charge (the “Lexus lanes” problem) but also increased access to the city centre for everyone. […]<\/p>\n
The higher cost of rush-hour car trips and increased bus travel speeds, due to reduced congestion, result in increasing passenger numbers and falling average costs \u2014 which, in turn, lead to improved service levels and lower fares that stimulate further shifts to public transport and additional reductions in congestion.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Via Common Tragedies<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
“Congestion Pricing” is the practice of charging people more to drive in heavy-traffic areas during the most popular driving times; this results in less traffic congestion. Economist Johnathan Leape has an interesting report on how congestion pricing is going in … Continue reading