I Say Yes to Congestion Pricing!

Picture above shows traffic congestion in a New York City street.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/08/nyregion/08congestion.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion&oref=slogin

In December 2006, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg initiated a major sustainability plan “plaNYC” for the City. As part of this challenge, the Mayor had proposed the congestion-pricing plan for the Manhattan area. The fees, he said would reduce congestion in the clogged Manhattan streets, improve air quality and reduce CO2 emissions and generate revenue for improving public transit.[1]

Video: New York City Mayor announcing congestion pricing plan for the city


Congestion pricing involves using electronic toll systems to charge drivers more to use congested roads during the most congested times in a day. [2] This model has been successfully implemented in other urban centers around the world such as London, Singapore, Norway and Stockholm.

Map above shows the existing congestion charge zone in Central Business District in London

Source: http://www.environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm?tagID=6241

Research data shows that congestion pricing has worked in these countries and resulted in considerable drop in congestion, increase in traffic speeds and more importantly increase in public transit usage. [3] All this has resulted in cleaner air in these areas as CO2 emissions and fossil fuel consumption has reduced by 20 percent and by 10-14 % in London and Norway respectively. [4] Singapore has seen a 20 % increase in public transit users and about 176,400 lbs decrease in CO2 emissions. [5]

I love visiting downtowns; they are the heart of any city. They are probably the only places in the U.S where you see higher densities, taller buildings, exciting restaurants and shops, street shows and overall more life on the streets. I believe they are meant for people to enjoy and businesses to thrive but not for plying cars and surely not for congestion and pollution. If I had it my way, I would keep cars out of city downtowns and open the streets to pedestrians and public transit only. This may not be a practical option, but solutions for reducing congestion, cleaner air and encouraging people to take people public transit instead of driving surely is.

Bibliography:
1.Transportation Alternatives. “Congestion Pricing”
(Accessed December 4. 2007)
2. Environmental Defense. "Congestion Pricing"
< tagid="6241"> (Accessed December 4. 2007)
3. Ibid.,2
4. Ibid.,2
5. Ibid.,2