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One Size Does Not Fit All: Co-Benefits of Congestion Pricing in the San Francisco Bay Area

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Abstract

On July 1, 2010, congestion pricing during peak traffic times was implemented on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. In response to the toll, automobile traffic on the bridge declined. Exploiting a quasi-experimental approach, the study finds that although public transit ridership increased after the new road toll policy went into effect, congestion pricing did not cause a change in traffic-related air pollution and respiratory illness incidence in the bridge vicinity, in contrast with the past work on the topic in other settings. This points to the importance of considering the heterogenous place-based factors that drive the welfare effects of environmental policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Ekaterina Alekhanova & Kate Foreman & Maya Papineau & Reid Stevens, 2023. "One Size Does Not Fit All: Co-Benefits of Congestion Pricing in the San Francisco Bay Area," Carleton Economic Papers 23-07, Carleton University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:car:carecp:23-07
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