34:1 - Schuitema, Road Pricing as a Solution to the Harms of Traffic Congestion
Introduction: In cities throughout the United States commuters are increasingly finding themselves stuck in traffic. The host of vehicles sitting motionless on the nation’s freeways each day impose massive costs upon society; including air pollution, lost time, wasted fuel, added noise, reduced civility, etc. What’s more, traffic congestion is an epidemic that is growing. In the nation’s largest urban areas the growth in the number of motorists has risen faster than the growth of roadway capacity and will continue to do so.
An effective and administrable measure for reducing traffic
congestion and the resulting negative impacts is “congestion pricing.” Congestion pricing simply refers to any method of charging road users a fee for the congestion costs they impose upon society. Since road users are not currently forced to consider the external costs of commuting when deciding when and how much to drive, the nation’s roadways have become an overused resource. Congestion pricing seeks to aid drivers in making more efficient decisions by making them aware of the “true” costs of driving.
Even though domestic and international congestion pricing programs have proven successful, the chief obstacle to widespread implementation remains public and political acceptance. State and local governments must put time, money and effort into “selling” congestion pricing schemes if they are to have any hope of gaining the requisite support. This necessitates an extensive public debate of congestion pricing, addressing both its strengths and weaknesses as well as considering alternative measures.
Part I of this paper addresses America’s infatuation with – and reliance upon – the automobile. Part II analyzes the costs imposed upon society by traffic congestion; including (1) those costs felt directly by motorists, (2) costs incurred by the government, and (3) external costs hidden from commuters. Part III takes a look at the different forms congestion pricing can take, including the second-best option of parking policy reform. Part IV considers the most prominent examples of domestic and international congestion pricing and the success such programs have had. Part V examines the impediments to popular acceptance of congestion pricing schemes and suggests some ways to overcome initial opposition.
Access this article in full length on LexisNexis or Westlaw or order a reprint. For reprint and subscription information, visit the Transportation Law Journal subscription Web site.
An effective and administrable measure for reducing traffic
congestion and the resulting negative impacts is “congestion pricing.” Congestion pricing simply refers to any method of charging road users a fee for the congestion costs they impose upon society. Since road users are not currently forced to consider the external costs of commuting when deciding when and how much to drive, the nation’s roadways have become an overused resource. Congestion pricing seeks to aid drivers in making more efficient decisions by making them aware of the “true” costs of driving.Even though domestic and international congestion pricing programs have proven successful, the chief obstacle to widespread implementation remains public and political acceptance. State and local governments must put time, money and effort into “selling” congestion pricing schemes if they are to have any hope of gaining the requisite support. This necessitates an extensive public debate of congestion pricing, addressing both its strengths and weaknesses as well as considering alternative measures.
Part I of this paper addresses America’s infatuation with – and reliance upon – the automobile. Part II analyzes the costs imposed upon society by traffic congestion; including (1) those costs felt directly by motorists, (2) costs incurred by the government, and (3) external costs hidden from commuters. Part III takes a look at the different forms congestion pricing can take, including the second-best option of parking policy reform. Part IV considers the most prominent examples of domestic and international congestion pricing and the success such programs have had. Part V examines the impediments to popular acceptance of congestion pricing schemes and suggests some ways to overcome initial opposition.
Access this article in full length on LexisNexis or Westlaw or order a reprint. For reprint and subscription information, visit the Transportation Law Journal subscription Web site.
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