Vancouver Gauges Mobility Pricing to Cut Traffic

As one of the most congested cities in North America, Vancouver is studying mobility pricing schemes to cut traffic congestion. This and examples of other city approaches being studied

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What Happened?

Vancouver officials are discussing a new transit plan that would incorporate mobility pricing to charge drivers on busy roadways, and are looking to existing policies worldwide for guidance. The push comes after 1 million new residents have moved to the city and created extensive traffic congestion.

The Goal

Vancouver’s Regional Transportation Investments report recommends implementing a staged introduction of mobility pricing to generate funding for the city’s $7.5 billion overall transit plan. Vancouver is looking to mimic toll strategies and mobility pricing models put in place in other cities worldwide where motorists are charged by how far they drive.

By charging drivers to use major roadways, cities are able to generate revenue to support larger transit projects, while encouraging the use of public transportation and improving traffic flow. The goal is to have 70 percent of Vancouver’s population live within a short walk of frequent public transportation lines, while 25 percent of residents located within walking distance of rapid transit.

Vancouver Plan

Under the $7.5 billion transit plan, the Metro Vancouver Mayors’ Council is calling for a series of transportation projects to be completed within a 30-year period including:

  • Four-lane tolled bridge
  • Light rail system between Surrey and Langley
  • Underground rapid transit line
  • 11 new bus routes
  • Fleet expansion and upgrades
  • Investment in cycling routes

To pay for the projects, officials are pushing for region-wide tolls and mobility pricing structures, as well as a carbon tax that has been implemented across British Columbia. A predicted 1 million newcomers are expected to move to Vancouver over the next three decades, driving the need for transit upgrades and solutions to traffic congestion.

London

One city with a mobility pricing plan in place is London, where city officials charge drivers a flat daily fee for entering into a central zone of London. No matter how often they enter or exit, the fee remains the same.

Within a determined “charging zone” cameras take pictures of license plates at entry points and automatically charge the drivers, unless they have paid in advance. Residents in the central zone are eligible for a 90 percent discount on the charge, while everyone else pays between $18.40 to $25.77 depending on their preferred payment method.

Singapore

In Singapore, electronic readers interface with in-vehicle units to collect fees. Drivers entering a specific zone must insert a cash card into the unit in their vehicle and the readers automatically deduct the specific amount. The electronic road pricing model is designed to reduce traffic congestion and the fees vary in price throughout the day based on traffic congestion levels. The fees can range from 50 cents to $3.

Worst of the Worst

The TomTom Traffic Index reviewed the cities with the worst traffic congestion in the United States and worldwide. In the North America index, Vancouver remained the most congested city in Canada, followed by Toronto. The most congested city in North America remains Los Angeles. The top five cities with the most increasing traffic congestion were:

  • Seattle
  • Houston
  • Ottawa
  • San Francisco
  • Miami

While the top five cities with the most decreasing congestion levels were:

  • Edmonton
  • New York
  • Boston
  • Minneapolis
  • Toronto

For all of North America, the congestion level is at 20 percent just below the 24 percent reported for all of Europe.

Clearing the Way

Gov1 has reported on a variety of strategies local governments are deploying to reduce traffic congestion including automated speed cameras and increasing public transit fleets.

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