Congestion Pricing

Many Opt To Pay Parking Fines Rather Than Parking Fees

In downtown Chicago, the parking lots add an extra $2 "congestion" tax for parking the whole day. Instead, many park illegally at Metra Station receiving parking tickets just to avoid the congestion pricing.

November 4, 2011 - Chicago Tribune

"Over the Top": Downtown Chicago Considers Congestion Fee

While some may grudgingly eat the extra fee to park downtown on weekdays, others may look toward more reliance on the El--the desired response. But is a flat congestion fee on top of already existing parking rates the best way to go?

October 22, 2011 - NPR

No Other Way: Pricing Congestion to Stop Congestion

In a study published in this month’s American Economic Review, researchers contended that congestion pricing is the only solution to decrease congestion, writes Eric Jaffe for The Atlantic Cities.

October 19, 2011 - The Atlantic Cities

Clean Cars May Lose Express Lane Privilege in LA

Single occupant electric vehicles retained access to carpool lanes in California, while hybrid owners lost it on July 1st.

September 15, 2011 - Los Angeles Times: Environment

More Lanes Means More Traffic

U. of Toronto economist Matthew Turner discusses his study that shows that building more traffic lanes attracts more traffic. Likewise, providing more transit may lure motorists out of their cars, but those motorists are replaced.

July 11, 2011 - NPR:All Things Considered

LA's Pilot Express Lanes Coming Soon

California Report previews 25 miles of new express or high occupancy toll lanes coming to LA as a pilot project paid from the competitive value pricing grant program under President Bush. The lanes currently are reserved for high occupancy vehicles

July 8, 2011 - The California Report

European Transportation Policy: Make Life Difficult For Motorists

It's the opposite of conventional transportation policy in American cities that places motorist convenience in high priority (think 'level of service'). This story shows what European cities are doing to get motorists out of cars.

June 27, 2011 - The New York Times - Environment

Building Roads to Cure Congestion Is an Exercise in Futility

University of Toronto professors say that building more roads just encourages more driving. Building transit doesn't help reduce congestion either, though it still maximizes the value of the transportation system.

June 1, 2011 - Streetsblog Capitol Hill

Britons are Driving Less

British cities report 9% fewer car trips per person and a 5% decline in distance traveled by car. That's because fewer young people are deciding to learn how to drive, says Prof. Phil Goodwin of the University of West of England.

May 27, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

A Video Explanation of Congestion Pricing

This video from Streetfilms explains the concept of congestion pricing and looks at how it can affect cities and their mobility.

March 19, 2011 - Streetfilms

Bi-Partisan Attack on LA HOT Lanes

The Democrat, Maxine Waters, objects to the 10 & 110 Freeway high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on the basis of equity while Rep. Gary G. Miller, the ranking CA Republican on the House Transportation Committee, sees it as "double taxation".

March 16, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

Threats of Gridlock are Greatly Exaggerated

A few weeks ago the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) released its latest Urban Mobility Report, and yesterday INRIX released its National Traffic Scorecard 2010 Annual Report. Both paint a grim picture of roadway conditions. “America is back on the road to gridlock,” warns INRIX.

March 9, 2011 - Todd Litman

Bay Bridge Congestion Pricing May Spread

If a San Mateo County agency has its way, congestion pricing will be applied to two toll bridges to create additional revenue and reduce congestion as was done successfully on the S.F./Oakland Bay Bridge last July - but there are major differences.

February 1, 2011 - San Mateo County Times via Mercury News

Congestion Pricing Working in the San Francisco Bay Area

Motorists driving into San Francisco during the morning rush hour are getting onto the Bay Bridge four minutes faster since July, largely due to congestion pricing.

January 14, 2011 - AltTransport

Tolls Incite San Francisco Peninsula Border War

The mere possibility that a SF County Transportation Authority study could result in a 'border' charge (congestion toll) to drive into SF from San Mateo County has the latter floating their own competing toll for motorists entering San Mateo County.

December 14, 2010 - San Jose Mercury News

Adios Automobile!

TheCityFix looks at the future of the automobile in cities and the possibilities of moving people in to alternative modes in times when car ownership rates are still exploding.

December 9, 2010 - TheCityFix

Suburb To City: No More Congestion Pricing, Please

San Mateo County officials have a bone to pick with their bigger neighbor (in population, not area) to the north, San Francisco: don't charge us to drive there. Unlike drivers from East and North Bay counties, no bridge tolls separate the counties.

December 3, 2010 - The San Mateo Daily Journal

SF's Congestion Pricing Plan Advances

Three possibilities for tolling San Francisco's downtown have been advanced by the Board of Supervisors; two involve tolling the 'Southern Gateway', the only entrance to the peninsula city that is untolled. However, Prop 26 could doom the plan.

November 15, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

Traffic Restraint As Alternative to Congestion Pricing

Yonah Freemark reports that there are more politically palatable ways to ease traffic congestion than congestion pricing.

October 10, 2010 - the transport politic

Successful Debut Of Congestion Pricing On Bay Bridge

July 1 marked the $2 premium, commuter toll on the Bay Bridge, as well as new first-time charges for car pools on all Bay Bridges, and increased tolls ($5) on seven state-owned bridges. Congestion on Bay Bridge reduced by half during morning peak.

July 30, 2010 - ABC News via KGO-TV

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