BIKE: The London system is working

[Patrick Goetz]

Tolls work?  This from New Scientist magazine; somewhat dated but still 
useful.  Note that the benefits have been reduced traffic AND increased 
commuter speeds.

   New Scientist
   27 November 2004
   Katharine Davis
   Magazine issue 2475

A £5-per-day levy for driving into central London, UK, has cut emissions 
of some greenhouse gases by nearly 20% in its first year

THE £5-per-day congestion charge for driving into central London, 
introduced in February 2003, cut emissions of some greenhouse gases by 
nearly 20 per cent in its first year.

 From the number, speed and type of vehicle moving through checkpoints 
in London, Sean Beevers and David Carslaw of King's College London 
calculated that nitrogen oxides and particulates fell by 16 per cent. A 
fall in the number of cars and an increase in speed of 4 kilometres an 
hour were responsible for three-quarters of this fall, with greener 
technology in cars making up the rest. Carbon dioxide emissions fell by 
19 per cent. Even an increase in the number of buses, whose diesel 
engines are among the worst polluters, could not offset the drop, partly 
because modern buses are fitted with particulate traps.