* DC - GAO study looks at impact of highway tolls
Washington,DC,USA -The Washington Post, by Robert Thomson -February 10. 2012: -- A new study by the Government Accountability Office finds that variable tolling can help reduce congestion on U.S. highways, while also focusing attention on the fairness of such transportation systems... Variable tolling takes several forms. Each is a response to congestion, and to the fact that limited space and limited revenue reduce the likelihood that new lanes will be built without toll financing. The new forms of tolling are used not only to pay for construction and to reward investors, but also to manage traffic through a technique known as congestion pricing... Congestion pricing in the United States comes in one or two forms, the GAO report said. High-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes vary the toll according to current demand. The varying toll moderates the number of drivers entering the lanes so speeds can stay at 45 to 55 mph. The 495 Express Lanes on the Beltway and the other HOT lanes planned for Interstate 95 will be examples of that. HOT lanes offer a free ride to those meeting the HOV requirements, but charge other drivers... The other format bases the toll on time of day, charging a pre-set premium price for travel during peak periods. The Intercounty Connector and Dulles Greenway follow that model. The traffic management goal is similar: The changing toll encourages drivers to use the highway when it’s likely to be less congested... Tolling does mean that those who benefit most directly from using new lanes will pick up a greater share of the expense. But the report urged continued scrutiny of that burden, particularly when tolling is used not only to manage congestion but also to meet revenue targets...Labels: tolls roads debate
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