Governments need to think beyond the traffic jam when deciding where to put scarce infrastructure dollars, argues a C.D. Howe Institute report released today.
The report urges governments to consider the broader economic and social impacts of congestion. Author Benjamin Dachis says that decision makers have not been taking into account externalities of congestion, such as the negative effect on the economy if people avoid leaving their homes.
“When congestion makes urban interactions too costly to pursue, these benefits are foregone, adding significantly to the net costs of congestion,” said Dachis.
Dachis recommends road pricing for new infrastructure as a “good first step to curbing excess congestion.”
