Props Where Props Are Due

It’s fair to say that I don’t usually have the same policy perspective as the Cascade Policy Institute, but we do tend to converge when it comes to looking at pricing the road system.

They have a new report out supporting tolling as a way to manage congestion.

One passage particularly warmed my heart:

When viewed from the efficient pricing perspective, a
number of implications are derived for the proposed
Columbia River Crossing. Specifically, it is premature to
make a determination of the need for the CRC without
first having a system of network tolling in place. Were
network tolling in place, a clearer picture of what is needed would emerge:

• Tolling would help relieve traffic conditions even on
  the existing bridge due to the effect of tolling on
  hypercongestion during heavy demand periods.

• The cost-beneficial roadway capacity needs of the
  crossing would be better perceived if existing
  capacity of the road network were properly priced.
  Failure to price existing capacity tends to exaggerate
  the perceived need for new capacity. Thus, CRC
  capacity needs very likely could be smaller than
  what is currently proposed.

• It is not clear that a dedicated transit right-of-way
  (for light rail or bus) would be necessary on the
  bridge and its approaches under an efficient pricing
  regime. Such a pricing approach naturally
  encourages use of buses, carpools and other highoccupancy
  vehicles on the roadway, and provides
  free-flow traffic conditions.

As you might imagine, I have a different view on that last bullet. As I said, we often don’t agree. But two out of three isn’t bad.