What Happened?
While some cities are looking to penalize drivers for entering notoriously gridlocked sectors, a new incentive system has been developed that would actually reward drivers for avoiding bottlenecks.
The Concept
Stanford University recently unveiled its new “CAPRI” project, which stands for Congestion And Parking Relief Incentives. Utilizing a $3 million grant from the US Department of Transportation, the program will enable commuters to earn credits for driving during off-peak hours.
The Pilot
An initial program at Stanford focuses on the main entrance to the university. Students earn credits for entering or exiting during off-peak hours, and those credits earn cash rewards; for now, rewards are disbursed through the university’s payroll. The program will test how such an incentive system may work, but early indications are good—the university is considering expanding the program to include school parking; specifically, parking further away from overburdened lots.
The program was designed by a Stanford professor who has experience in utilizing incentives to change human behavior, primarily related to public transportation, driving, and active lifestyles.
Advantages
One benefit of a system like CAPRI is that it doesn’t require legislation. In addition, unlike other congestion-pricing schemes in London and Singapore, the policy is incentive-based, not penalty-based.
In fact, Singapore, which was the first city to implement a congestion-pricing system, is considering full implementation of CAPRI. The program would reward public transit riders who choose to travel during off-peak times; a trial in the city helped lower peak ridership by more than 10 percent.
The Future
Experts who follow traffic-management trends believe the CAPRI program could easily be implemented and improved over time utilizing technology. For example, by integrating a program like CAPRI with smartphones and global-positioning systems, one could envision a system that automatically credits users when they enter congestion zones.
Research
In addition to the links embedded in the article above, a study on traffic incentives in Bangalore, India, was published in 2009, and an article in the Stanford Report provides additional detail on CAPRI.
Much more is available on the topic of congestion pricing, including a primer from the Department of Transportation, and an overview of the concept, courtesy Transportation Alternatives. The Federal Highway Administration published its own primer, and an analysis of existing congestion pricing examples is also available.
For more detailed case studies and examples, please see this study of congestion pricing in London, or an expert summary of what happened in Stockholm. An analysis of road pricing in Singapore is also available, and you can find extensive details from the city’s ministry of transport. The transportation component of New York City’s PlaNYC also included pricing mechanisms, and even San Francisco conducted a study saying congestion pricing would be a “feasible” way of addressing sustainability challenges.
The DOT also published its own “lessons learned” report, based on many of the cases above.