"Over the Top": Downtown Chicago Considers Congestion Fee

Reports David Schaper:

"[Urban planning professor Donald] Shoup says a $2 increase may not be enough to get many commuters to leave their cars at home, especially if their employers cover all or part of the parking cost. Also, he says, raising prices in parking lots and garages might only increase the number of drivers circling around in search of street parking, adding to congestion.

"I think the most important thing to do for any city is to get the price of curb parking right," Shoup says.

That's the approach some other cities are taking. San Francisco, for example, is experimenting with parking meters that change prices block to block and at different times of day, based on supply and demand."