Los Angeles is considering a new approach to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality by implementing congestion pricing in select areas. This initiative is part of the Metro Traffic Reduction Study, currently in its third round of modeling, as The SoCal Transiteer reports.
Metro traffic reduction study, focuses on areas with high traffic volumes, including DTLA, West Los Angeles/Santa Monica. The goal? To reduce congestion, improve safety, lower emissions, and reinvest in communities by applying excess revenues to expand high-quality rapid transit options.
The proposed congestion pricing would involve charging vehicles to enter or travel through designated high-traffic zones during peak hours, replicating existing models implemented in big cities like New York, Singapore, London and Milan.
The exact toll rates have not been determined yet. However, projections indicate that the DTLA concept could generate over $9.5 billion in net revenues over 20 years, which would be reinvested into additional bus and rail services, new express routes, and capital projects near the proposed congestion zones.
The study also considers equity measures to ensure that low-income communities are not disproportionately affected. Proposed strategies include discounted tolls and implementing a “mobility wallet” concept, which would provide a dedicated transportation budget for eligible residents to use on transit, taxis, tolls, and other transportation options.
If approved, the congestion pricing pilot in Los Angeles could begin as early as 2028, coinciding with the city’s preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics.