Published since 2005. San Francisco is a city that belongs to the people of the world. Hence this blog has a global focus. The name "Sam Spade's San Francisco" refers to an exciting era in the City's history, the time of Dashiell Hammett's fictional gumshoe and San Francisco character, Sam Spade. My name is Tom Dunn and I edit the blog. I'm not as exciting as Sam Spade, but I am definitely a San Francisco character.Contact or on Twitter -- Search blog below.
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Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Toll Roads From Sea to Shining Sea
The current issue of Transportation Innovator has some interesting observations about the new national drive to reduce traffic congestion in major U.S. cities (including San Francisco) by initiating a cordon congestion charge.
Mayor Bloomberg’s proposal for a traffic congestion charge in New York City (PlaNYC) will likely be watched closely by the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, as it could become a test case for congestion charging on Doyle Drive. Done well, it has the potential to be a model for improving congestion and reducing emissions while promoting greater public transportation use. However, to ensure the plan’s success in New York, the mayor will likely need to address concerns over equity and the timing of public transit improvements.
London’s pioneering congestion cordon charge is widely viewed as a success. Within the cordon zone, congestion has been cut by an average of 30%, vehicle speeds have increased on average by 25%, and emissions of PM, NOx, and carbon dioxide have declined. Stockholm, Singapore, and Oslo also have successful congestion pricing programs.
Now, Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants New York to be the first US city with a cordon charge. Under his plan, cars and trucks would be charged $8 and $21 respectively to enter or exit Manhattan below 86th Street during work hours. Cars within the zone would pay half price. The charge would apply to all vehicles, except emergency services, taxis, for-hire cars, and vehicles with handicapped plates.
Mayor Bloomberg’s cordon charge proposal is generating plenty of debate. Proponents argue that studies show congestion costs New York $13 billion annually and results in increased pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as significant health impacts. The PlaNYC report predicts that a cordon charge would result in 94,000 commuters shifting from driving to mass transit, decreasing traffic within the zone by 6.3% and increasing vehicle speeds by 7.2%.
Opponents have expressed concern that the cordon charge could be implemented without the promised transit improvements. They also argue that the fee will disproportionately impact the poor and increase traffic and emissions outside of the zone.
In August, Mayor Bloomberg scored a major victory by securing a $354 million U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) award to support his congestion reduction program. The majority of the grant – about $325 million – will fund bus and bus facility improvements and the planned five-corridor BRT network. The grant also provides $10.4 million to implement congestion pricing.
To read about San Francisco's plans to charge for peak-hour use of Doyle Drive and take advantage of the DOT cash offer, please continue reading the story that follows immediately below.
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