Yes. Congestion pricing can be an effective tool for supporting climate change goals because it can encourage drivers to make different travel choices, and it can improve traffic flow. Both outcomes reduce emissions from transportation, which is one of our statewide goals in response to climate change.
Congestion pricing encourages drivers to choose other modes of transportation that generate less greenhouse gas emissions, like carpooling, public transit or biking. Pricing can also encourage drivers to drive less often or take shorter trips, which reduces emissions, too.
Congestion pricing on Oregon's busiest highways will also improve traffic flow, which leads to less idling in traffic and fewer vehicle stops/starts. This reduces emissions from all vehicles on the road by a small amount, but it is most beneficial for heavy trucks. Heavy trucks are less efficient than smaller vehicles, and they burn a lot of fuel to stop, start, and change speeds. Smoother traffic flow means trucks do this less often, which results in less greenhouse gas emissions.
We recognize that climate change is an urgent issue and threatens our quality of life and environment. The tolling program will consider greenhouse gas emissions during tolling project planning and will incorporate strategies to reduce emissions where possible.