Comments on: 20/20 Segment on Private Roads (& Some things to ponder while in traffic)

By: Stossel On Private Roads « Daniel Joseph Smith

Stossel On Private Roads « Daniel Joseph Smith — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:04:12 +0000

[...] Stossel On Private Roads By Daniel J. Smith http://marketurbanism.com/2009/03/16/2020-segment-on-private-roads-some-things-to-ponder-while-in-tr... [...]

By: Three Interesting Reads | neoHOUSTON

Three Interesting Reads | neoHOUSTON — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:12:01 +0000

[...] 20/20 Segment on Private Roads From Market Urbanism, a look at the difference between public and private roads. Must read, must watch. Share this post: [...]

By: Market Urbanism

Market Urbanism — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 03:07:05 +0000

welcome back, Bill. Long time, no comment.

By: Bill Nelson

Bill Nelson — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 02:29:16 +0000

Correction:

If the lawyer had to pay a $20 toll to avoid traffic, he might consider *commuting* to the city. (Or maybe living in the city and commuting to his suburban office…)

Sorry!

By: Bill Nelson

Bill Nelson — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 02:26:51 +0000

Underpriced roads preform well below capacity; when they fail, there is almost no throughput.

Properly priced roads would maximize capacity and permit many more cars through, hence making outlying areas more attractive. Think of a properly-priced road as delivering the extra capacity of a few more lanes.

As it is, congested roads are very expensive to use. Not in tolls, obviously, but in time. A $300/hour lawyer who sits in traffic for an hour every day is paying a daily toll of $300. And that is why congested “free” roads discourage long commutes.

That lawyer would probably choose a shorter commute to a “free” congested commute — from his suburban house to his suburban office. If he had to pay a $20 toll to avoid traffic, he might consider moving to the city.

By: Jessie M

Jessie M — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:54:30 +0000

It depends really. I’m not always in a rush to get where I’m going. Sitting in traffic isn’t something I want to do but will most of the time. It doesn’t bother me that much.

We do have some toll roads here in Houston. When I’m in a rush or don’t feel like sitting in traffic, that’s when I take it. But most often, I’d rather keep my money in my wallet and sit in traffic.

By: Market Urbanism

Market Urbanism — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:54:56 +0000

Great point Andy. Transit will have a hard time competing with roads that politicians love to pump money into…

Private transit might even make a comeback if roads were priced appropriately.

By: Andy Sharpe

Andy Sharpe — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:45:54 +0000

I would hope that this would encourage mass transit. Driving is already expensive enough with the cost of buying/leasing a car, maintaining the car, filling the car up with gas, and parking (for some). Hopefully, this added cost would be the final straw for some drivers, being an impetus to switch to rail, light rail, or bus transit.