Congestion Pricing
"Congestion pricing" refers to a category of market-based solutions designed to make the best use of our existing investments in highway, roadway, and/or parking infrastructure and improve the performance of the regional transportation system - including cars, trucks, and buses.
Examples of congestion pricing strategies include
- allowing single occupant vehicles to gain access to carpool lanes by paying a fee ("Express Lanes");
- charging fees for entering highly congested areas;
- charging fees to use all highway lanes or even all roadways in a particular area or at a particular time of day;
- charging a fee per mile driven or hour of vehicle operation; and
- charging for parking in certain highly-impacted areas.
The key concept common to these approaches is that the fee or charge varies depending on the congestion at the time. The underlying principle is that using a resource (in this case, a roadway or parking space) during a time of high demand is more costly to all users than using that resource during off-peak periods. Many airlines, entertainment venues, utilities and others use this same principle of peak and off-peak pricing. Some may choose to pay for a faster and more predictable travel experience during peak periods. Others may choose to make trips to different places or at less congested times, combine trips, carpool or use public transit.
The study is considering a variety of potential congestion pricing strategies, which offer a range of potential benefits and new can also bring in new revenue that can be used improve system efficiency and choices that benefit all of us.
