Chapter 24, Problem 1DQ

To determine

The disadvantages of using other means of transportation by the local people to avoid congestion.

Concept introduction:

Congestion:

Congestion is defined as the slow movement of vehicles or traffic jams on the road due to large numbers of vehicles at the same time.

Toll:

The toll is defined as the tax or the fee collected from the vehicle’s driver for using the roads, in order to maintain them in better condition and control congestion.

Explanation:

• The problem of congestion on the roads can be solved if people are imposed a price for using the roads. This price is generally referred as a toll tax that reduces the number of vehicles on the road.

• However, the local people sometimes use another alternative to counter congestion such as access-limiting the traffic lights at freeway on-ramps. Ramp metering is also considered a good method to control congestion on the road.

As everything has its boon and bane, this too has a major disadvantage.

Increase in the delay time: Such method has proved to increase the delay time at every merger on the road. There are sometimes snail-paced traffic congestions with very few ramp-meters. When there is freeway then the traffic is very smooth but once it slows down, there is gridlock everywhere.

Explanation of Solution

• The problem of congestion on the roads can be solved if people are imposed a price for using the roads. This price is generally referred as a toll tax that reduces the number of vehicles on the road.

• However, the local people sometimes use another alternative to counter congestion such as access-limiting the traffic lights at freeway on-ramps. Ramp metering is also considered a good method to control congestion on the road.

As everything has its boon and bane, this too has a major disadvantage.

Increase in the delay time: Such method has proved to increase the delay time at every merger on the road. There are sometimes snail-paced traffic congestions with very few ramp-meters. When there is freeway then the traffic is very smooth but once it slows down, there is gridlock everywhere.

Economics Concept Introduction

Concept introduction:

Congestion:

Congestion is defined as the slow movement of vehicles or traffic jams on the road due to large numbers of vehicles at the same time.

Toll:

The toll is defined as the tax or the fee collected from the vehicle’s driver for using the roads, in order to maintain them in better condition and control congestion.