COSTS AND BENEFITS OF CENTRAL AREAS AUTO RESTRAINT: A BOSTON CASE STUDY

Using the Boston metropolitan area as a case study, we analyzed the benefits and costs of several measures designed to restrain auto use and reduce traffic congestion in the central area. The policies examined--increases in central area parking charges, special area licenses for the use of central area streets, and a small auto-free zone--all produce positive net benefits, particularly when applied during the peak period. Parking surcharges and area license schemes generate the highest annual net benefits: $15 to $24 million in 1975, which would perhaps double over 10 to 20 years. The optimal parking surcharge or license fee, in the range of $0.50 to $1.00 per vehicle, would reduce the number of autos entering Boston's central area by 15 to 35 percent. (Authors)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was presented at the Annual Meetings of the American Institute of Planners, September 1978, and the Transportation Research Board, January 1979.
• Corporate Authors:

  Harvard University

  Department of City and Regional Planning, Gund Hall
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02138
• Authors:
  • Gomez-Ibanez, Jose A
  • Fauth, G R
• Publication Date: 1979-1

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 48 p.
• Serial:
  • Urban Planning Policy Analysis and Administration
  • Publisher: Harvard University

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Benefit cost analysis; Case studies; Central business districts; Licenses; Pay parking; Peak periods; Traffic congestion; Traffic restraint
• Uncontrolled Terms: Parking costs
• Subject Areas: Economics; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00312255
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Dis Paper D78-23
• Contract Numbers: DOT-MA-11-0007
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 26 1980 12:00AM