Brisbane CBD Congestion Protection Zone Concept

[#Metro]

A few weeks back there was something about congestion tolling, which I vaguely remember.
Now, I just wanted to explore the idea to see what could pop up. I'd be interested in what thoughts might be, and of course, you're welcome to draw your own.

Congestion Protection Zone (Concept Exploration Only)
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zo2O13ByWclc.kbQdrVub0SMk

The general idea is to get the CBD area 'congestion protected' during weekday peak hours. This could be easy to do because the Brisbane river forms a natural barrier with few crossings on most sides of the city, while the Inner City Bypass forms a barrier on the west side.

Traffic on the Riverside expressway is NOT included in the zone - a vehicle must enter the CBD to be charged.

The system could work by charging vehicles coming into the CBD during the AM peak, and NOT charging vehicles that are leaving the CBD in AM peak (i.e. Spring Hill Residents can get out free). In the PM peak, vehicles leaving the CBD are charged, while vehicles coming into the CBD are not charged (i.e. Spring Hill residents can get home free).

I think this is pretty neat. Maybe the RACQ would be interested also? Imagine that.

The cost should not be much also. Wireframe gantries, cameras and piggyback ops of an existing tollway centre, of which there are plenty to choose from in Brisbane.

[#Metro]

I can imagine the people who would be against: car par operators (includes BCC) and perhaps CEOs driving to work... I suspect that many workplaces provide free car parking, this is a way of actually putting a price on those car parks without.

Low or no fee could be charged in the off peak times, and weekends free.

The funds raised could go to help build CRR, fix up buses etc. It could also be used to reduce the cost of tolls on the surrounding bypass routes - this would be a double incentive to not drive to the CBD.

[#Metro]

Recent conference paper deals with the issue, though their study area is much larger.
I think congestion protection is a much better term to use.

CORDON CHARGING BRISBANE'S INNER-CITY ROAD NETWORK: A
DISCUSSION

http://www.aitpm.com.au/ArticleDocuments/278/Daniel%20Quan%202015%20Session%2011.pdf.aspx?Embed=Y

[#Metro]

A QUT Paper

"Abstract: As detailed in Whitehead, Bunker and Chung (2011), a congestion-charging scheme provides a mechanism to combat congestion
whilst simultaneously generating revenue to improve both the road and public transport networks. The aim of this paper is to assess the
feasibility of implementing a congestion-charging scheme in the city of Brisbane in Australia and determine the potential effects of this
initiative. In order to so, a congestion-charging scheme was designed for Brisbane and modelled using the Brisbane Strategic Transport
Model with a base line year of 2026. This paper argues that the implementation of this initiative would prove to be effective in reducing the
cities road congestion and increasing the overall sustainability of the region."

THE BRISBANE CORDON SCHEME:
PART B - INVESTIGATION INTO FEASIBILITY AND EFFECTS

http://eprints.qut.edu.au/41488/1/eddBE2011_301-306_Whitehead.pdf

[James]

I can imagine the people who would be against: car par operators (includes BCC) and perhaps CEOs driving to work... I suspect that many workplaces provide free car parking, this is a way of actually putting a price on those car parks without.

Low or no fee could be charged in the off peak times, and weekends free.

The funds raised could go to help build CRR, fix up buses etc. It could also be used to reduce the cost of tolls on the surrounding bypass routes - this would be a double incentive to not drive to the CBD.

I would argue that Spring Hill should be excluded north of Leichhardt St and west of St Pauls Tce. For a place so close to the CBD, the level of bus service some parts of Spring Hill get is pathetic, quite frankly. The few times I've had to drive to that area during the day, parking has also been pretty easy to find, and has been of the '9P 8am - 5pm' variety with $8 all-day parking. To me, that's indicative of an area which doesn't need a congestion charge.

No fee should be charged during the off-peak. The congestion on the network isn't as bad then, and no fee in the off-peak would encourage CBD workers to travel outside of peak hour. In addition, the Clem7 toll should be reduced to incentivise people to use the bypass route.

On the ideological front, it is a sound proposal. Sadly I don't think any government is going to seriously look at it. We've all seen Brisbane people behave as if free parking at the shops + free roads are a human right, if this experience is anything to go by, there will be a fit (and at the corresponding election, an electoral loss) if anyone dares introduce/propose congestion pricing.