Comments on: Improving Corzine's Asset Monetization Plan http://blog.tstc.org/2008/02/15/improving-corzines-asset-monetization-plan/ News and opinion from the Tri-State Transportation Campaign Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:37:44 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: dominic cabrera http://blog.tstc.org/2008/02/15/improving-corzines-asset-monetization-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-258 dominic cabrera Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:37:57 +0000 http://blog.tstc.org/?p=189#comment-258 how in the world do you spell magic? how in the world do you spell magic?

]]> By: Kate Slevin http://blog.tstc.org/2008/02/15/improving-corzines-asset-monetization-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-257 Kate Slevin Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:38:25 +0000 http://blog.tstc.org/?p=189#comment-257 Thanks for the thoughtful comments, Michael. We completely agree and have asked the Governor to scrap the current widening projects and instead look at many of the solutions you mention above, like investing toll revenue into longer term (and potentially cheaper) solutions like congestion pricing and cashless tolls. Unfortunately, the environmental documents for both the NJ Turnpike and GS Parkway projects have failed to adequately consider these and the other alternatives you mention. Thanks for the thoughtful comments, Michael. We completely agree and have asked the Governor to scrap the current widening projects and instead look at many of the solutions you mention above, like investing toll revenue into longer term (and potentially cheaper) solutions like congestion pricing and cashless tolls. Unfortunately, the environmental documents for both the NJ Turnpike and GS Parkway projects have failed to adequately consider these and the other alternatives you mention.

]]> By: Michael Replogle http://blog.tstc.org/2008/02/15/improving-corzines-asset-monetization-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-256 Michael Replogle Sun, 17 Feb 2008 20:51:59 +0000 http://blog.tstc.org/?p=189#comment-256 Kate Slevin makes some good suggestions, but omits a seventh and important way to improve on the Governor's asset monetization plan, which would be to use tolls as a management tool, not just to get more revenue. Call it tolling for performance. The Governor's plan focuses on tolling for revenue. A better plan would: (1) rapidly implement fully electronic toll collection, eliminating toll barriers, (2) adjust tolls by time-of-day and segment to minimize congestion, pollution, and greenhouse gases, (3) dedicate a portion of toll revenues to improving transit, paratransit, and other travel options in the tolled corridors, and (4) generate considerable new revenues for other needs of the state. This approach could keep the NJ Turnpike and other roads operating at their peak efficiency, as Singapore and San Diego have done. It could be implemented with money-back guarantees to motorists: if you get stuck in traffic on a toll-managaged segment, you get your toll refunded. If you want a congestion-free ride, you have to pay what it takes at that time and place, but you'll have better travel choices, and the taxpayer won't be subsidizing your driving trip. Kate Slevin makes some good suggestions, but omits a seventh and important way to improve on the Governor’s asset monetization plan, which would be to use tolls as a management tool, not just to get more revenue. Call it tolling for performance.

The Governor’s plan focuses on tolling for revenue. A better plan would:
(1) rapidly implement fully electronic toll collection, eliminating toll barriers,
(2) adjust tolls by time-of-day and segment to minimize congestion, pollution, and greenhouse gases,
(3) dedicate a portion of toll revenues to improving transit, paratransit, and other travel options in the tolled corridors, and
(4) generate considerable new revenues for other needs of the state.

This approach could keep the NJ Turnpike and other roads operating at their peak efficiency, as Singapore and San Diego have done. It could be implemented with money-back guarantees to motorists: if you get stuck in traffic on a toll-managaged segment, you get your toll refunded. If you want a congestion-free ride, you have to pay what it takes at that time and place, but you’ll have better travel choices, and the taxpayer won’t be subsidizing your driving trip.

]]> By: GroverC http://blog.tstc.org/2008/02/15/improving-corzines-asset-monetization-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-255 GroverC Fri, 15 Feb 2008 23:50:38 +0000 http://blog.tstc.org/?p=189#comment-255 I'm a strong supporter of capital spending on the transportation network, but trying to discuss modifications to Corzine's plan assumes that it has some fundimental merit. Some ideas, however,are just so wrong, so awful, that they do not justify discourse. Corzine's plan is one of them. I’m a strong supporter of capital spending on the transportation network, but trying to discuss modifications to Corzine’s plan assumes that it has some fundimental merit. Some ideas, however,are just so wrong, so awful, that they do not justify discourse. Corzine’s plan is one of them.

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