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The politics of congestion mitigation

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  • Taylor, Brian D.

Abstract

Most research on congestion overlooks the political context of traffic congestion and congestion mitigation policies. While failed congestion policies around the globe are products of misguided premises and flawed analyses, they are also the products of political processes that emphasize highly visible congestion relief projects and programs over actually relieving congestion. Accordingly, this paper makes and defends four propositions. First, that public officials tend to exaggerate the consequences of (widely unpopular) metropolitan traffic congestion for political gain. Second, that (widely popular) public transit investments are unlikely to meaningfully reduce congestion. Third, that public officials can cynically use congestion as a rationale for funding for high-profile, politically-popular transportation (and, increasingly, public transit) projects. And fourth, that the experience to date suggests that various forms of transport and parking pricing offer the best hope for meaningfully reducing congestion in the coming years.

Suggested Citation

  • Taylor, Brian D., 2004. "The politics of congestion mitigation," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 11(3), pages 299-302, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:11:y:2004:i:3:p:299-302
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    1. Vanoutrive, Thomas & Zijlstra, Toon, 2018. "Who has the right to travel during peak hours? On congestion pricing and ‘desirable’ travellers," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 98-107.
    2. Duy Q. Nguyen-Phuoc & William Young & Graham Currie & Chris Gruyter, 2020. "Traffic congestion relief associated with public transport: state-of-the-art," Public Transport, Springer, vol. 12(2), pages 455-481, June.
    3. Sweet, Matthias N., 2014. "Do firms flee traffic congestion?," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 40-49.
    4. Mondschein, Andrew & Taylor, Brian D & Brumbaugh, Stephen, 2010. "Congestion And Accessibility: What’S The Relationship?," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt8135b0jh, University of California Transportation Center.
    5. Michael L. Anderson, 2014. "Subways, Strikes, and Slowdowns: The Impacts of Public Transit on Traffic Congestion," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 104(9), pages 2763-2796, September.
    6. Chen, Enhui & Liu, Yang & Yang, Min & Ye, Zhirui & Nie, Yu (Marco), 2024. "The sustainability appeal of urban rail transit," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    7. Yoh, Allison & Taylor, Brian D. & Gahbauer, John, 2012. "Does Transit Mean Business? Reconciling academic, organizational, and political perspectives on Reforming Transit Fare Policies," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt6dv295b7, University of California Transportation Center.
    8. Yen, Barbara T.H. & Mulley, Corinne & Burke, Matthew & Tseng, Wen-Chun, 2020. "Parking and restaurant business: Differences in business perceptions and customer travel behaviour in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    9. Cohen-Blankshtain, Galit, 2021. "On another track: Differing views of experts and politicians on rail investments in peripheral localities," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    10. Yang, Chao & Chen, Mingyang & Yuan, Quan, 2021. "The geography of freight-related accidents in the era of E-commerce: Evidence from the Los Angeles metropolitan area," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    11. Mondschein, Andrew & Taylor, Brian D., 2017. "Is traffic congestion overrated? Examining the highly variable effects of congestion on travel and accessibility," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 65-76.
    12. Chen, Peng & Yang, Xiankui, 2023. "Revisit employer-based travel demand management: A longitudinal analysis," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 22-31.
    13. Litman, Todd, 2007. "Evaluating rail transit benefits: A comment," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 14(1), pages 94-97, January.
    14. Mondschein, Andrew & Taylor, Brian D. & Brumbaugh, Stephen, 2011. "Congestion and Accessibility: What's the Relationship," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt6bh2n9wx, University of California Transportation Center.
    15. Aydin, Nezir & Celik, Erkan & Gumus, Alev Taskin, 2015. "A hierarchical customer satisfaction framework for evaluating rail transit systems of Istanbul," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 61-81.
    16. Chang, Yu Sang & Lee, Yong Joo & Choi, Sung Sup Brian, 2017. "Is there more traffic congestion in larger cities? -Scaling analysis of the 101 largest U.S. urban centers-," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 54-63.

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