A seamless HOV system, that provides tangible benefits in the form of reduced travel time and increased trip reliability, will convince some SOV drivers to switch to transit and ridesharing. However, for the system to work to its greatest potential, it must prove sufficiently attractive to the region's travelers to induce large numbers of people to get out of their cars and into buses, vanpools, and carpools. Auxiliary supporting measures, to overcome the attractions of driving alone, are needed. Large sums have been spent to facilitate auto mobility, while comparatively little has been invested to improve the competitiveness of our bus system and to enhance walking and biking. Although drivers contribute considerable tax revenues to build and maintain our road system, they pay only about half the full costs of driving.
Many indirect costs go unpaid.
These include the costs of subsidized parking, congestion that drivers impose on other drivers, air and water pollution impacts, uninsured accident costs, and energy subsidies. We believe such measures do exist and that this goal is achievable for modest cost. Numerous opportunities have been identified but few have been exploited. An aggressive program of incentives, coupled with completion of the HOV system, would constitute an integrated, synergistic approach to our regional transportation problem. Together they could produce significant benefits in the form of increased regional mobility.