Posted on 09/13/2010 8:15:34 AM PDT by Willie Green
WASHINGTON - Imagine having to pay to travel on most of the major roads in the region.
The idea creating 1,650 miles of "variably priced" lanes on Capital Beltway, Interstates 270, 66 and 95, Route 50, the George Washington Parkway and others, is being floated as a "what-if" scenario by area transportation officials.
"Congestion is a major threat to the economic vitality of the region and the quality of life its residents enjoy," says a new report from the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board.
Charging a variable toll to drive major commuter routes would increase speeds 15 mph to 20 mph on average, according to estimates. Officials say that widespread tolls would help minimize their overall cost.
"This is not a proposal, it's a 'what if' study that provides very interesting insight into the implications of tolling for our region," says Arlington County Board Member Chris Zimmerman.
The report emphasizes that this analysis is "designed to elicit discussion, not to provide conclusive answers."
Other "what if" scenarios explore the expansion of bus service, changing patterns of development and the impact of workers moving closer to their jobs.
The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board meets Wednesday to discuss the report.
We already pay to drive on public roads. It's called "Fuel taxes".
As usual, you are wrong.
Fuel taxes and user fees barely provide half of the Highway Subsidy.
Analysis Finds Shifting Trends in Highway Funding: User Fees Make Up Decreasing Share
I sort of don’t care, because you shouldn’t have to be wealthy to drive on the roads in this country.
As everyone points out, our tax dollars do pay for the roads.
On the other hand, the scarce good here is the right of way. A highway can only hold so many cars at peak hour. The only two ways to decide who gets the scarce good is by seeing who is willing to wait in traffic (allocating by time) or seeing who is willing to pay (allocating by cost.) Most economists would argue that allocating by cost is more efficient. I am surprised by the freeper opposition.
The point of those making the existing tax argument is well taken, but currently 25-33% of useable roadway is accessible only to multi-occupant vehicles. And in the case of I-66, 100% inaccessible to single-occupant vehicles at peak times.
How about no use of the public roads except for government vehicles?
That’d clear almost all of the traffic, minimize commute times, and, in general, clean up all of the DC traffic problems. Worked well in Moscow, or so I’m told.
We’d have to increase the vehicle taxes, though, since the gas taxes would, obviously, decrease. Second thought, increase the gas tax too, to pay for the commuter rail.
All sides would be winners, since while the “important” wouldn’t be inconvenienced, the unwashed would have the time they spend on their budgeting and travel planning minimized, since they’d have neither money to spend nor travel options.
Maybe if the didn't p*** it away on projects other than roads they'd have it.
It doesn't really matter. This is a stupid idea cooked up by a bunch of socialist thieves.
I can't wait for November...we're going to toss jokers like this out of their comfortable taxpayer provided jobs by the thousands.
We're going to kill off their stupid taxpayer sponsored 'mass transit' and 'high speed rail' projects by the hundreds.
The wailing and gnashing of socialist teeth like yours will bring joy to my heart.
See you in November Willie.
The opposition comes because the LIBs/Asshats are constantly spending gasoline tax money on bike paths and mass transportation...not building roads.
Completely agree.
We already pay...It’s called a gas tax.
No kidding, I already pay to drive.
IOW a stealth road tax.
what would help congestion is “autodrive” cars where these senile or clueless drivers who don’t know where they are or what they are doing can have a GPS computer drive the car for them.
We have cars that self park, we should already have cars that self drive.
That would reduce traffic and accidents around 20-30%, I'd bet.
slaves must obey their DC overlords.
Brilliant analysis - I can see your entire scenario unfolding in that way.
Traffic congestion in the DC area could be thinned substantially by sharp cuts in the size of the Federal Government.
That’s an interesting position for you Willie. It would seem that you now are against building costly mass transit and high speed rail as none of these systems is self-sustaining.
I-66 is the only road that I could see them tolling. Extend the Dulles Tollway from the Airport to I-66 and through to Downtown. And, charge EVERYBODY tolls, including those going to the airport (except delivery trucks, buses, and taxis- a special airport rate in the cab would make up for this).
Wouldn't you love to learn what the combined annual salaries of these jokers is? I know I would.
I think I've identified one of the first organizations to be defunded, defanged, and repealed out of existence come January.
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