Presentation to 495/MW Partnership 9.26 · Presentation to 495/MW Partnership 9.26.2017. ... • A study by Tufts and Boston University found that people who live close to highways

Presentation to 495/MW Partnership9.26.2017

Who is Transportation for Massachusetts?

• T4MA is a statewide coalition of more than 70 member and partner organizations. We advocate for better, smarter transportation policies across the Commonwealth. Our members include:

• Environmental advocates

• Planning agencies

• Business associations

• Community-based organizations

• Grassroots non-profits

• Transportation user groups and advocates

Our values for better transportation

• Transportation is the path to opportunity and social equity

• Transportation is a determinant of public health

• Sustainable transportation is key to solving and mitigating climate change and local pollution

• Good transportation choices create strong communities

Negative environmental impacts of transpo.

• The transportation sector is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases

• More than the power sector

• This is now true not just in Massachusetts, but across the country

• Significant contributor to local pollution

• A study by Tufts and Boston University found that people who live close to highways have higher risks of cardiovascular disease

Coalition investment priorities

• Transit• MBTA repair and maintenance

• Targeted MBTA expansion

• Regional Transit Authorities

• Active Transportation for Vibrant Communities• Walking

• Cycling

• Roads + Bridges• Investment in maintenance + repair

• Better management of demand and capacity

• Tying Transportation to Land Use• Supporting “Great Neighborhoods” that are vibrant and prosperous, and

easy to get around in without a car

The good news: Massachusetts is #1!

Massachusetts is the #1 state in the country according to U.S. News & World Report rankings

Massachusetts is #1!

#1 Overall

#1 in Education#2 in Healthcare

But we rank #45 in transportation

#1 Overall

#1 in Education#2 in Healthcare

#45 in Transportation

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Congestion is a costly problem for Massachusetts commuters and businesses

• Congestion costs Boston-area drivers $1,759 per year ($150/month) in lost time and wasted fuel. At $300/month for a household with two drivers, that’s more than what many pay for cellphones or cable television.

• Boston-area drivers spent the highest percentage of their travel in congestion of any large-metro commuters in the country.

• Business associations cite transportation as the number one concern of their members.

Source: INRIX 2016 Global Traffic Scorecard. INRIX, a Microsoft spinoff, is a partner of FHWA and many state DOTs.

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As volumes hit “peak of the peak”, average vehicle speeds drop

Source: MassDOT volume and speed data from weekdays in May and June, 2017

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Newtonville Eastbound GantryAvg Vehicle

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Technology presents opportunities

• The Baker Administration’s transition to all-electronic tolling presents an opportunity to think differently about how we can address congestion.

• We can now take new approaches to old problems, and improve quality-of-life for commuters.

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Congestion Reduction Pilot Proposal

• Recruit ~500 commuters who regularly use currently tolled roads in Massachusetts

• Provide approved pilot drivers with an automatic discount for driving off-peak on weekdays

• Constrain pilot to small pool and time period to limit MassDOT revenue loss while still demonstrating proof of concept

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Goals of the Pilot Program

• Show technological capability to offer discounted tolls for off-peak driving

• Demonstrate goodwill to toll-paying communities

• Assess qualitative response of drivers to the opportunity to pay less for off-peak trips

• Advance differential pricing as a policy that could potentially help alleviate congestion on some key Massachusetts commuting corridors

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Potential Long-Term Benefits of Reduced Congestion Through Off-Peak Pricing

• Drivers who take advantage of off-peak pricing:• Cheaper trip• Potentially faster and more reliable trips

• Drivers who don’t (or can’t) take advantage of off-peak pricing:• Faster and more reliable trips through congestion

reduction

• Transit (bus) riders:• Faster and more reliable trips through congestion

reduction

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Appendix

Coalition revenue priorities

• Millionaire’s Tax and Sales Tax

• Congestion reduction through smarter pricing policies

• Empowering cities and towns by enabling Regional Ballot Initiatives

• Supporting a “RGGI for transportation”

A track record of success

• Fought MBTA service cuts and proposed 43% fare hikes

• Coordinated statewide campaign to win new revenue

• Advocated for statewide Complete Streets program

• Worked for Project Selection criteria to align investments with values

• Frame innovative mobility in line with equity and climate values

Transportation must serve everyone

• Transportation is important not for what it is, but for what it does:

• Connects communities to each other

• Connects people with jobs, healthcare, education, and other opportunities

• Helps businesses move goods

At volumes above highway capacity, each new vehicle contributes more congestion than the last

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Travel Time from 495

to Back Bay

Traffic Volume

25 Minutes Without Traffic

HighwayCapacity

45+ Minutes at Peak

Shifting trips away from “Peak of the Peak” produces significant travel time savings for commuters

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Time Savings

Reduction of 100 Vehicles

Reduction of 100 Vehicles

HighwayCapacity

“Peak of the Peak”

Current Toll Rates w/EZ Pass

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Tobin Bridge (each way): $1.25

Sumner + Ted Williams Tunnels (each way): $1.50

128/Weston to I-93: $1.70

Newton to Allston/Brighton: $1.00

Framingham to Allston/Brighton: $1.85

495 to Copley: $2.45

Worcester to South Boston: $2.90

Scenario Costs of the Pilot Program

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# of Drivers: 500 500

Average Discount: $0.50 $1.00

Discounted Trips/Month/Driver: 10 45

Number of Months: 6 6

Total Value of Discounts: $15,000 $135,000

Staff time for administration, media, marketing