Focus on Congestion, Not More Freeways

Everyone wants to be in the fast lane of highway improvement: Gov. George Deukmejian has called for a summit meeting on highway finance, Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco) has proposed a 10-cent increase in the gasoline tax, while Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) has called for a 5-cent increase.

Yet none of these proposals confront the problem caused by too many drivers wanting to use urban highways during peak periods.

It would take an 18-cent increase in the gas tax to build our way out of this dilemma. And even then, how many communities would allow Caltrans to double-deck freeways? Imagine what life would be like in Sherman Oaks along the San Diego and Ventura freeways? Consider the height of the interchanges and the noise. Obviously, communities would not tolerate such degradation.

If we are to raise additional money for highways, it should be done in a manner that also encourages commuters to economize in their driving habits. Such methods would include ride-sharing, transit and avoidance of freeways during peak periods.

Toll roads planned for Orange County are a good example of such economizing. They will help manage traffic by offering a choice between paying for a faster trip on “feeways” or using the congested freeways. Charging higher tolls during peak hours will influence some to delay trips or to car-pool.

Ride-sharing and rapid transit are also needed to reduce congestion, but there is little incentive for either when taxes for highways are paid at a flat rate per gallon. Drivers tend to feel that they have paid for their share of space on the freeways, and that it is the government’s problem to ease the congestion.

More direct incentives are required to provide both money to improve highways and encourage ride-sharing or other alternatives. A place to start would be in placing a financial burden on those causing the congestion. Taxing employers $2 a week for each employee parking space they provide might generate $470 million a year for transportation improvements in Los Angeles and Orange counties. It would yield almost the equivalent of 14 cents in additional gas taxes.

Employers would dislike this tax. Wonderful. Perhaps some would begin to encourage ride-sharing or offer employees financial incentives to use public transportation. And if we could increase average vehicle occupancy from 1.2 to 1.4 per trip, congestion could be solved.

In 1976, the Legislature created county transportation commissions to solve problems like those we are facing in our urban areas today. The Los Angeles County commission began well, but after passage of the half-cent sales tax for transit, it has been preoccupied with constructing the light-rail line to Long Beach and competing with the Southern Calfifornia Rapid Transit District for control of all of the county’s transit projects. Other responsibilities, like the financing of highway improvements, have been neglected.

The Orange County Transportation Commission has a better record in highway financing, but it has lost control over tollway projects and now is also proposing a takeover of transit operations, an action that will increase transit cost and divert attention from the fiscal planning and coordination roles that the Legislature intended.

San Diego County has been more successful. Although the San Diego Transit Development Board is restricted to transit, it has provided leadership for new revenues that benefit both highways and transit. This demonstrates the effectiveness of coordination and sound management.

Solutions cannot be legislated from Sacramento in the form of increases in the gas tax. Too many compromises are required when legislators must integrate the needs of the rural counties with those of metropolitan areas. If we are to find our way out of the mess we are now in, then solutions must be worked out locally by transport commissioners who have a vision of what is possible and the technical skill and political wisdom to initiate change.

If improvements are not achieved, then the Legislature should examine the organization and function of successful transportation agencies and reform the commissions.

More money is needed for transportation improvements, but it should be sought in ways that require those who cause congestion to pay their fair share. Tollways, parking taxes and fees for trucks using highways during congested periods can generate as much money as gas taxes and reduce travel demand. The Legislature should provide incentives for local authorities to use these techniques.