Downs on HOT lanes

“Economists have long recommended charging high peak-hour tolls to ration scarce highway space during rush hours. But U.S. politicians have unanimously rejected that strategy for two reasons. First, most drivers would consider such tolls as ‘just another tax’ on something they can do without monetary cost now. Second, most drivers would regard high enough peak-hour tolls to reduce congestion then to low levels as unfairly benefiting wealthy drivers who could always pay such tolls at the expense of poorer ones who would be forced to drive at other times.

Perhaps HOT lanes high occupancy toll lanes on major expressways onto which single drivers could buy their way during peak periods could provide some high-speed channels even during peak hours without forcing all other drivers off those roads during those hours. But HOT lanes would not eliminate peak-hour traffic jams for the majority of drivers.” Anthony Downs, Brookings Inst, testimony House committee on transp 3/21/01