Improve Public Transportation and other Transportation Problems
Improving public transportation and other transportation options is an essential strategy for equity and mobility. We need viable options to improve mobility for those who are less able to pay a toll.
Most pricing projects throughout the country have included investments in increased public transportation, carpool/vanpool, biking and pedestrian alternatives.
Provide travel benefits for communities who have been historically and are currently underrepresented and underserved by transportation projects
Other tolled freeway systems have used several strategies and we will consider those strategies during project development. Some examples include: '
- Cash account options (while still using electronic and/or license plate toll systems) that are easy to access and understand.
- Toll discounts, credits, subsidies, or rebates, similar to TriMet's low-income program.
- Benefits between travel modes, such as transit passes that accumulate toll credits.
Minimize and lessen negative impacts of diversion to neighborhoods
Neighborhood diversion currently exists as drivers use neighborhood streets as a cut through to avoid congestion on freeways. Implementing tolls on I-205 and I-5 has potential to cause some people to avoid tolls and use local neighborhood streets. Both the I-205 and I-5 projects need to identify toll end points to lessen negative impacts.
During this phase of analysis, we will evaluate diversion potential and design options that can encourage beneficial diversion and minimize unwanted diversion.
Diversion can take many forms, some of which are beneficial:
Toward the surface street system. This occurs when through traffic diverts from freeways onto the local and arterial road network.
Away from local streets. If tolls reduce freeway congestion, it will draw vehicles away from the local and arterial road network and back to the freeway in search of travel-time savings.
Change travel mode. This type of diversion reflects vehicles shifting to different transportation modes like biking, walking, or transit.
Change travel time. This type of diversion reflects people shifting travel to different times of day to avoid the peak commute hours.
Change freeway. Currently, ODOT balances freeway volumes via variable message signs and other tools. Tolls may be another strategy to balance diversion.