Mobility, Access, and Pricing Study Case Studies ... · Access, and Pricing Study has considered San Francisco’s unique context in designing feasible alternatives for the city,

Congestion pricing involves charging drivers a user fee to drive in specific, congested areas or corridors, and using the revenue generated to fund transportation improvements, such as better transit service, road improvements, and bicycle and pedestrian projects. Although the Mobility, Access, and Pricing Study has considered San Francisco’s unique context in designing feasible alternatives for the city, the positive experiences of London and Stockholm’s congestion pricing programs offer opportunities to learn about the benefits and impacts that could be expected in San Francisco.

StockholmCongestion pricing was instituted in Stockholm in 2006 for a seven-month trial implementation, which was followed by a public referendum on the program and permanent implementation in 2007. The program has reduced traffic by 22% and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 14%. Prior to trial

implementation, public opinion in Stockholm was two-thirds against congestion pricing. Public support eventually rose to two-thirds as people came to understand the policy and associated benefits.

In Stockholm, motorists are charged on weekdays when entering or exiting the central city, with fees varying based on time of day. Program improvements have included 18 new regional bus lines and 2,800 new regional park-and-ride spaces.

Mobility, Access, and Pricing Study

Case Studies: Stockholm and London

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Both Stockholm (above, left) and London (right) have implemented successful congestion pricing programs. Below: Stockholm motorists are charged on weekdays, with fees varying based on time of day.

Stockholm Congestion ChargingType of charge Varies per crossing

Charge amount 10–20kr ($1.50–$3.00 USD)

Traffic reduction -22%

Economic benefits +5% increase in sales within the charged zone

Greenhouse gas reduction -14%

Increase in transit ridership +5%

Annual net revenues 730 million kr ($100 million USD)

Population 1.2 million

SOURCE: Swedish Transport Administration

Fact SheetLAST UPDATED

November 2010SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

The program has also resulted in positive economic impacts: businesses within the charged zone have seen an increase in sales of 5%, in part because the charging system requires drivers to pay to both enter and exit the zone, giving Stockholm residents an incentive to shop locally rather than drive out to the suburbs. In addition, businesses benefit from the ability to make 25% more deliveries during charged hours as a result of congestion reduction benefits.

LondonSince 2003, drivers traveling in an 8.5 square mile area of central London have been assessed a flat daily fee when driving within the designated zone on weekdays. Before congestion pricing was implemented, traffic in central London was flowing at 2–5mph. Now it averages 10mph. Most displaced London drivers switched to transit, and businesses have remained healthy, as a result of substantial net revenues that have been poured into improved transportation improvements, including more frequent transit resulting in 14,000 new bus seats.

Congestion Pricing Zones Compared

StockholmCongestion Charging Zone

Toll points

LondonCongestion Charging Zone

London Congestion ChargingType of charge Flat daily fee

Charge amount £8 ($13 USD)

Traffic reduction -30%

Economic benefits Businesses within the zone growing twice as fast as those in comparable areas

Greenhouse Gas Reduction -16%

Increase in transit ridership +18%

Annual net revenues £137 million ($216 million USD)

Population 7.5 millionSOURCE: Transport for London

Successful congestion pricing programs have also been implemented in, left to right, Santiago, Singapore, and Milan.

London has also experienced public health benefits as a result of reduced tailpipe emissions that cause serious illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, and heart attacks. According to a recent empirical study, 1,888 extra years of life have been saved among the city of London’s more than seven million residents who are now breathing cleaner air.1

London’s downtown economy has also experienced benefits since the pricing program has been implemented: businesses within the charged zone are growing faster than businesses outside the zone. Other studies have found evidence of higher spending levels in Central London by transit users and pedestrians as compared with automobile drivers.

1 Tonne et al (2008). Air pollution and mortality benefits of the London Congestion Chrage: spatial and socioeconomic inequalities. Occupational and Environmental Medicine.