Traffic, NYC Albany, congestion pricing

Recall this dissertation?

I have more to say, because in 1925 and 2008, something similar happened between state and local government regarding traffic congestion. Asha Weinstein details a similar puzzle, unsolved, regarding Boston traffic congestion and Mass government.

Throughout modern American economic history since 1820, we, predictably, have suffered severe gridlock shock, and other transportation collapses; a hard hitting against the limits of traffic capability. Another is the The Great Epizootic of 1872 halting local traffic for weeks.

Interesting, recurring theme. I need to do a technical aside.

Congestion pricing is congestion optimizing, like the Internet, but we really want to add in density pricing. This should include a device on the driver's dashboard, with system generated signaling for left, right merge. Now, we would like to include lane guidance with steering assist, but we can do without it. Manhattan becomes channelized at times for high speed BRT, then traffic slow down for mini-cabs and pedestrians. All range of cargo size and arrival time combinations can be priced. From BRT, mini-cab, personal car, truck; and the per car technology additions drop below a few hundred in volume.

The inner economist tells me a system would make Manhattan richer and more powerful then ever before, feeding a great manufacturing metropolis around NYC. Albany should be on board, I cannot think of what is holding them back, except possibly graft.

Then this story, where the Ultra PRT is getting interest elsewhere in the west coast. Looking through the comments is talk about virtual gridlock in the local highway system. What does PRT mean? A lightweight concrete guideway, makes sense sometimes to be sure.

Getting energy efficiency out of transportation is top priority.