Traffic congestion remains a significant challenge facing major cities across the United States. Traffic congestion often occurs when many vehicle users seek to use the roads within a similar period. However, this often results in movement taking longer, increased pollution, and increased transport cost. Subsequently, one of the solutions made to address traffic congestion has been a proposal to integrate the use of congestion pricing. Congestion pricing essentially calls vehicle users to pay for using specific roads at certain points. Congestion pricing is an effective tool for addressing the traffic congestion issue. The following paper offers the benefit of introducing congestion pricing as an effective tool to reduce and eradicate traffic jams.
Congestion pricing is beneficial to the business community. Businesses rely heavily upon their supply and distribution chain. An adequate supply chain ensures that businesses are stocked to fulfill the needs of their clients. Conversely, an effective distortion channel is crucial in ensuring that clients receive their products on time and in the desired quality and state. Subsequently, congestion pricing benefits businesses by ensuring they can effectively fulfill their obligations and needs through efficient transport systems(FHWA, 2022). Congestion pricing results in free-flowing traffic. Subsequently, it becomes easier for businesses to acquire stock and distribute goods. Additionally, this negates the need for buffer stock which raises the cost of operation. An effective transport system results in a competitive business locally and internationally.
Besides benefits accrued by businesses, congestion pricing results in reduced pollution of the environment. The transport sector is a significant cause of pollution. This occurs through car noises and vehicle emissions (Fiedler & Zannin, 2015). However, this challenge is exacerbated by traffic jams, which result in cars spending more time on the roads. It is currently estimated that the transport sector is responsible for at least a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions (Hertwich & Wood, 2018). This is major because most road vehicles use fossil fuels to meet their energy demands. Subsequently, when traffic congestion occurs, greenhouse emissions are bound to increase. Moreover, vehicle congestion emissions have been found to affect the communities living near the roads. Subsequently, congestion pricing addresses the pollution effect by ensuring that vehicles spend less time on the roads. Fats mobbing traffic reduces green hose emissions, resulting in a better and healthier society.
Carpoolers and public transport system users also benefit from congestion pricing. Congestion pricing results in a faster public transport system. An effective public transport system is characterized by buses making regular traffic stops and on time. This element is bound to ensure more individuals adopt the public transport system, further reducing the use of private transport. This effect is evident in central London, which reduced bus delays by 50% after congestion pricing(FHWA, 2022). Additionally, London saw a 7% increase in bus riders(FHWA, 2022). Additionally, congestion pricing results in an increased number of people carpooling. California saw a 40% increase in the number of vehicles with three or more occupants after the congestion pricing(FHWA, 2022). This element contributes to the reduction of traffic congestion.
In conclusion, the paper highlights the benefits of introducing congestion pricing to address traffic congestion. The program’s benefits include efficient supply and distribution channels for businesses, a drop in pollution rates, and increased use of carpools and public transport system. The research shows that congestion pricing is an effective solution to traffic congestion, with its effects reverberating across society.
References
FHWA. (2022, February 11). Benefits of Congestion Pricing – Congestion Pricing – FHWA Office of Operations. Ops.fhwa.dot.gov. https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/congestionpricing/cp_benefits.htm#:~:text=Congestion%20pricing%20benefits%20drivers%20and
Fiedler, P. E. K., & Zannin, P. H. T. (2015). Evaluation of noise pollution in urban traffic hubs—Noise maps and measurements. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 51, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2014.09.014
Hertwich, E. G., & Wood, R. (2018). The growing importance of scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions from industry. Environmental Research Letters, 13(10), 104013. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aae19a
write