Congestion Pricing: Not Coming Soon to a US City Near You

[marmar]

from the Next American City blog:




Congestion Pricing: Not Coming Soon to a US City Near You
Joe Peach | Jun 5th, 2011





In 2007, the United States Department of Transportation selected five metropolitan areas it considered suitable for congestion charging projects. The idea was simple - charge private road users to enter city centres, reducing congestion and raising funds in the process. But four years on and progress is less than positive. New York city has twice thrown out plans for a congestion charge, and San Francisco is waiting until 2015 to begin its trial period. When the most enthusiastic response involves waiting four years, you know it’s not good news.

But as America postpones and battles against the congestion charge in its cities, on the other side of the pond it’s a different story. Launched in February 2003 by then-Mayor Ken Livingston, London’s congestion charge system charges private car users who enter the zone £10 ($16) per day between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. The scheme has been a huge success, resulting in a 20% drop in car use, £120 million ($197 million) annual net-revenues, and the fastest growth rate for the city’s bus system since the 1940s.

Creating an economically-driven transportation demand management system like the congestion charge is controversial, and resistance isn’t an exclusively American reaction. Despite the scheme’s success in London, few cities in Europe - with the notable exception of Stockholm and Milan - have followed the British capital’s lead.

Environmental benefits appear to present a compelling argument. 22% of London’s overall CO2 emissions come from ground based transport, with 49% of those coming from cars and motorcycles. As a result of the congestion charge, CO2 emissions fell by 16% within the charging zone, with nitrogen oxides and particulate emissions dropping too. Functional benefits also exist. Average traffic speeds have increased by 37%, with delays to private journeys decreasing by 30% and bus journeys by 50%. Speedier journeys have also reduced average taxi fares. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://americancity.org/buzz/entry/3002/