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Pricing Traffic: Pacing Growth. Robert T. Dunphy Senior Resident Fellow Urban Land Institute. Pricing in America. Where transit was in the 1980s Few new systems –Many in the works Debates raged about new transit Pricing today - one experience (London) Few new toll roads and HOT lanes
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Pricing Traffic: Pacing Growth Robert T. Dunphy Senior Resident Fellow Urban Land Institute
Pricing in America • Where transit was in the 1980s • Few new systems –Many in the works • Debates raged about new transit • Pricing today - one experience (London) • Few new toll roads and HOT lanes • Debate over success
New Tools Are Welcome • Fiscal, institutional, political • Charge it and they will go away • Reinvented and made palatable • Cities leading the way
London • Speeds < 15 KPM – 9 MPH • Public transport worst in Europe • Business community concerned • New Mayor - Ken Livingstone • Campaigned on a congestion charging scheme • “Red Ken” won, and followed through • Skepticism -“Business community hates it”.
Smooth Start • Photos matched against payers • Citations sent , challenges adjudicated • Unprecedented effect on traffic
Six Month Results • 16 % fewer cars • 30% less delay • 13% faster journeys, more reliable • Expanded bus - 50-60 % of the trips • Bus speeds and reliability increased
Political risk rewarded • Growing political support - • 50% support • 30% oppose • 70% of Londoners consider it has been effective in reducing traffic • 25% poll advantage
Lessons for America • Extraordinary political leadership • Careful advance research • Strong public awareness campaign
Minnesota • Considered since 1994 • Political problems • Value Pricing Advisory Task Force in 2001 • HOT lane on Interstate • Variable pricing on bridge • Reconstruction route • Stars lined up politically • Legislature acted • Revenues target to transit originally, split
First HOT lane I-394 • Growing congestion—open HOV lanes • Vary Price to assure high speeds • Public/private partnership • Carol Flynn, Fmr State Senator – • the only way to add capacity for general traffic • Convincing public requires a demonstration • Similar debate over light rail
Seattle • 205 miles car pool lanes • Growing congestion • Underused HOV • Options: • I – 5, 405, 90 • SR 167
State Route 167 • 9-miles - Auburn to Kent on east side • 50% increase in HOV lane capacity • Faster speeds in gp lanes • Conversion from single HOV lane to a HOT lane with multiple access • Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis: “desperate”. We have to look at every option that is available. • transportation commission – Nov 14
HOT in Seattle • Natural spot for innovation • Importance of political support • High opportunity of success • Congestion problem with capacity to sell
Tolls – New Tool • Light Pricing – Hot lanes • Deep Pricing – London, NYC • Price Suburban Extensions - Reason • Transportation Connection