Spillover Effect Details
- Policy
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Swiss Roads Initiative
- Alternative
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Congestion Pricing and Incentives for Carpooling
- Dimension
- Infrastructure
- Criteria
-
- Resilience to climate risks
- Time Frame
- 15
- Score
-
- PositiveImpact
- Congestion pricing is expected to significantly reduce peak-hour traffic, leading to lower emissions and improved air quality for future generations. It could incentivize a shift towards shared mobility and public transport, which would contribute to a cleaner environment and a more sustainable urban infrastructure, fostering greater resilience to future climate risks.
- NegativeImpact
- There is a risk that congestion pricing could disproportionately affect lower-income individuals who may not have the flexibility to alter their travel times or afford the fees, thereby exacerbating social inequality. Additionally, if not complemented by robust public transport options, it could lead to increased resentment towards commuting costs without significant improvements in travel times or convenience.
- Description
- While congestion pricing has shown potential benefits in other cities, its application in Switzerland could lead to a range of socio-economic disparities if not structured carefully. The strategy may push low-income workers further away from their workplaces or into more congested areas. Additionally, it may fall short in generating sufficient funds if public transport improvements do not keep pace with the increased fees, contradicting the original goals of reducing congestion and minimizing transport emissions. Compared to alternatives like Smart Traffic Management Systems or Integrated Public Transport Enhancement, which offer more integrated and equitable solutions, congestion pricing presents a higher risk of failing both the current population and future generations.