Aug
7
A Concept Proposed to Eliminate Traffic Jams
August 7, 2018 | 1 Comment
A University of Cologne team of researchers has presented proposals for the traffic management of the future, offering a dynamic and fair toll for road use that could reduce congestion. This is something urban folks might or might not look forward to.
In the current issue of Nature, the economists Peter Cramton, Axel Ockenfels (both University of Cologne) and R. Richard Geddes (Cornell University) outline a concept for the future of traffic control.
In this concept, drivers would have to pay a dynamic fee for the use of roads. This is the “might or might not” part.
This would contribute to avoiding traffic jams and protecting the environment, the researchers argue. Fees that respond to traffic volumes in real time and with site precision, taking into account factors such as vehicle type and exhaust emissions, can significantly improve traffic flow and contribute to reducing air pollution.
Traffic jams are not only annoying and time-consuming, they are also costly. In Germany, the economic damage caused by congested roads in 2017 totaled approximately 80 billion euros.
Ockenfels explained, “Currently, road users who cause traffic jams, damage the environment and even incur costs are paying just as much as those who are not involved. Without a toll, this means that the general public is subsidizing these road users. That’s unfair.”
A toll for road use would bring these costs to light and reduce congestion. Cramton explained, “If the fee adapts to the volume of traffic and the situation on the road in real time, i.e. is more expensive at rush hour than around noon, everyone can choose the route that suits them best. This already works for navigation systems. Ultimately, this would reduce the load on main traffic arteries, improve traffic flow and reduce CO2 emissions.”
Technically, a dynamic road toll could already be implemented in real time today. Navigation and telecommunications systems, GPS data and apps can provide drivers with information and predict traffic volumes. “Of course, you have to develop a system that is an acceptable compromise between collecting personal data and protecting privacy,” said Cramton. Modern cryptology could allow system operators to charge tolls without people having access to the data at all.
The scientists do not believe that the toll would disadvantage people who cannot afford the tolls. “Pricing must be dynamic and offer options. Imagine pricing the left lane of regularly congested, multi-lane roads. A lower traffic volume on the left lane would be the result. This in turn means that the flow of traffic on the right-hand lane also increases,” said Ockenfels. “That way, everyone benefits.”
Its this kind of academic study that drives the world a bit crazy. Lots of assumptions had to be leveled onto the input. And the output, as seen above seems a bit obtuse. Just how the lower income folks are going to benefit being stuffed into an even more congested right hand lane, thus “everyone benefits” mystifies your humble writer. Yet, they’re working on a world wide urban problem. But then, this might turn out to be a segment of a solution.
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Sounds like someone has figured out another way to burden the poor with more taxes.