Urban planners have found that congestion can be eased by giving drivers the option of paying to bypass clogged lanes.
Chadi Chazbek with the transportation consulting group HNTB says existing free lanes can be converted to toll lanes “to improve mobility in the corridor, provide a fast and more reliable travel time provide a mobility option for people who choose to use the lane.”
Toll lanes are operating in parts of Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Drivers can use their fast track sensors to pay the toll. And expansion is planned for the lanes in both regions.
State transportation leaders say they’re discussing other ideas this week like selling more bonds for road and bridge improvements and using state cap and trade money for public transit expansion.
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