VPP Projects Involving Tolls
Category: Zone-Based Pricing

Project - CALIFORNIA: Area Road Charging and Parking Pricing in San Francisco

This study examined the potential of implementing the first area-wide parking pricing pilot which could in turn lead to the first national implementation of an area road pricing pilot. The San Francisco County Transportation Authority and the San Francisco City/County Board of Commissioners have identical membership. During the evening peak period, autos on approximately half of streets in the Downtown, Civic Center and South of Market areas travel at running speeds below 10 mph, while many transit lines in the same areas operate below 8 mph. Additionally, several regional highways operate below 30mph. Average peak-period travel times of local and regional drivers to these areas are more than double off-peak travel times, and are expected to worsen substantially in the coming years. Double-parking and people circling to locate parking further exacerbate the problem. In order to address the problem, the city proposes evaluating a two-pronged approach: 1) implement a parking pricing pilot; and 2) develop a plan to implement area road pricing within 2 years.

The study was designed to educate citizens about congestion pricing in anticipation of an area road pricing pilot. Additional work was conducted to identify any socio-economic impacts and make plans to mitigate them; and to involve the public in order to identify the area/facilities to be priced and technology necessary to implement the area road pricing pilot.

Project Complete

The project team presented preliminary findings to their board. The team is in the process of preparing the final report.

For More Information Contact

Zabe Bent
Senior Transportation Planner
San Francisco County Transportation Authority
E-mail: elizabeth.bent@sfcta.org

Visit the Study Web site at www.sfmobility.org.

Back to Zone-Based Pricing