Surprise! Removing tolls increases traffic
Published: Feb. 24, 2008 at 12:58 AM
EDINBURGH, Scotland, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Scottish traffic managers have discovered that removing the tolls on a busy highway bridge has had the predicted effect -- traffic jams are much worse.
The group Trafficmaster monitored the Forth Road Bridge near Edinburgh for five days before and five days after northbound tolls were abolished Feb. 11, The Scotsman reported. The group found that the morning rush hour -- which averaged 61 minutes while tolls were in place -- lengthened to 91 minutes once the bridge was free.
Three of the five days after abolition were school holidays, when traffic in Scotland tends to be light.
Experts warned the government about the effect while the decision was being made. Finance Secretary John Swinney advocated abolition, arguing that it would stimulate the economy.
The results suggest that drivers respond to economic incentives.
The group Trafficmaster monitored the Forth Road Bridge near Edinburgh for five days before and five days after northbound tolls were abolished Feb. 11, The Scotsman reported. The group found that the morning rush hour -- which averaged 61 minutes while tolls were in place -- lengthened to 91 minutes once the bridge was free.
Three of the five days after abolition were school holidays, when traffic in Scotland tends to be light.
Experts warned the government about the effect while the decision was being made. Finance Secretary John Swinney advocated abolition, arguing that it would stimulate the economy.
The results suggest that drivers respond to economic incentives.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
» Next in Quirks:
Huckabee spoofs campaign on 'SNL'
Graduating Arts and Sciences senior Erin Forman of Boca Raton, Florida, passes the time before commencement ceremonies to blow bubbles at Washington University in St. Louis on May 16, 2008. (UPI Photo/Bill Greenblatt)
GRADUATION DAY AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS
Full Photo
| Slideshow
Latest Headlines
- Drought, high food prices slam Somalia
- Judge keeping R. Kelly documents sealed
- Source: Romo to escort Simpson to wedding
- Riverside, Calif., tops gas prices list
- D.C. cops getting semiautomatic rifles
- Report: United balking at merger deal
- GE considers appliance division sale
- Bush to push freedom in Mideast
Most Popular