San Francisco's Congestion Program Touted By U.S. Transportation Chief

"It's not too often that the Bush administration points to the San Francisco Bay Area as a role model for the rest of the nation. But the region's proposed efforts to combat traffic congestion were held up by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters on Tuesday, Oct. 16 as an example to emulate."

Ms. Peter's not only praised the Doyle Drive 'gateway' congestion pricing - the essential, and most controversial part of the Bay Area's successful application to DOT's Urban Partnership Program, but another congestion pricing program "envisioned for parking in San Francisco. The city is looking at using emerging technology to set pricing at meters and city-owned lots based on demand. Spots in the most popular areas and during the busiest times would cost more."

Both programs are part of the $159 million federal program, along with "a program in which traffic signals are designed to give buses, streetcars and emergency vehicles priority at certain intersections." However, the funding is dependent upon the Doyle Drive tolling being authorized by city and state legislation.

In addition to the gateway tolling of Doyle Drive, the city is studying a possible 'cordon' application of congestion pricing of the busy downtown, funded in part by an earlier $1 million federal grant.