Road Pricing in the USA

Road Pricing Can Help Reduce Congestion, but Equity Concerns May Grow (60 page pdf, United States Government Accountability Office, Jan 12, 2012

Also discussed here: Traffic Congestion- Road Pricing Can Help Reduce Congestion, but Equity Concerns May Grow
(GAO-12-119, Jan 12, 2012)
And here: GAO Highlights (United States Government Accountability Office, Jan. 2012)

Today, the focus is on a report by the GAO of the US government which reviewed the progress of 400 miles of tolled roads in 14 road pricing projects in that country which included HOT lanes (virtually all are on roads funded federally) and peak-period or congestion pricing. Results were mixed and no recommendations were made given that “Congestion pricing in the United States is in its relative infancy”.  Concerns were expressed about potential equity issues in future – in terms of impact on low income drivers and geography in terms of areas impacted by tolling.

To see Key Quotes and Links to key reports about this post, click HERE