Post by rubbertoe on Dec 18, 2009 8:33:07 GMT -8
All,
Just came across this in the Washington Post, though you may need to subscribe to access the content. The ICC toll road at 18.5 miles could charge as much as $6.15 per trip...
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/17/AR2009121702062.html?hpid%3Dnewswell
This reminds me of the 10 and 110 project that will come to pass by this time next year. As you would expect, there is a discussion of the fact that with transportation budgets being so strapped because of the recession, toll roads are an easy way to generate the cash to build new roads or thin traffic out on existing roads.
I think in a sense that this is a very positive development. If the cost of driving is more shifted toward the users of the road instead of the general fund of the state, it helps get rid of the perception that roads are "free". As people then shift to the free alternatives, they will become more crowded and then that will in turn force some people to choose a transit alternative assuming that such an alternative exists.
There is another thing that I think could end up happening for some of these toll roads, in addition to the LA system being put in place. The pricing scheme is designed to keep the traffic flowing at a certain speed, and charges more during rush hour than during non-rush hour. I think that what may end up happening here in LA is that even with the toll being $10 (not sure about this, but you get the idea) to get down the 110, that there will be so many people willing to pay that amount that the fee will have to be increased to reduce congestion. This will turn into the "Lexus Lane" that everyone talks about where the wealthy are able to pay and drive fast while the others are stuck in slower traffic.
I'll leave it to others to debate the societal aspect of whether this is good and/or fair policy or not, but from strictly a "pay for use" approach I generally agree with the concept.
RT
Just came across this in the Washington Post, though you may need to subscribe to access the content. The ICC toll road at 18.5 miles could charge as much as $6.15 per trip...
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/17/AR2009121702062.html?hpid%3Dnewswell
This reminds me of the 10 and 110 project that will come to pass by this time next year. As you would expect, there is a discussion of the fact that with transportation budgets being so strapped because of the recession, toll roads are an easy way to generate the cash to build new roads or thin traffic out on existing roads.
I think in a sense that this is a very positive development. If the cost of driving is more shifted toward the users of the road instead of the general fund of the state, it helps get rid of the perception that roads are "free". As people then shift to the free alternatives, they will become more crowded and then that will in turn force some people to choose a transit alternative assuming that such an alternative exists.
There is another thing that I think could end up happening for some of these toll roads, in addition to the LA system being put in place. The pricing scheme is designed to keep the traffic flowing at a certain speed, and charges more during rush hour than during non-rush hour. I think that what may end up happening here in LA is that even with the toll being $10 (not sure about this, but you get the idea) to get down the 110, that there will be so many people willing to pay that amount that the fee will have to be increased to reduce congestion. This will turn into the "Lexus Lane" that everyone talks about where the wealthy are able to pay and drive fast while the others are stuck in slower traffic.
I'll leave it to others to debate the societal aspect of whether this is good and/or fair policy or not, but from strictly a "pay for use" approach I generally agree with the concept.
RT
