National League of Cities Urges Locals to Consider Congestion Pricing

The Overton Window is widening on the subject of congestion pricing.

1 minute read

August 16, 2019, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


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The National League of Cities (NLC) has published a new report suggesting local governments implement congestions as a tool for easing congestion, improving quality of life, and raising funds for infrastructure maintenance and improvements.

The "Making Space: Congestion Pricing in Cities" [pdf] report, references case studies in London, Stockholm, Singapore and New York, according to an article by Katie Pyzyk.

Perhaps most importantly for the future adoption of congestion pricing, "[t]he guide concludes that congestion pricing might become even more important in cities as electric vehicles (EVs) and and [sic] autonomous vehicles (AVs) grow more prevalent. "

"It also notes that small and medium-sized cities should remain open to the concept, and cities that don't yet struggle with traffic should as well," according to Pyzyk.

As if to further prove the improving potential of congestion pricing, The Oregonian this week published an op-ed supportive of congestion pricing for Portland, as written by Eric Fruits, vice president of research at Cascade Policy Institute and an adjunct economics professor at Portland State University.

Thursday, August 15, 2019 in Smart Cities Dive

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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