National League of Cities Urges Locals to Consider Congestion Pricing

The Overton Window is widening on the subject of congestion pricing.

1 minute read

August 16, 2019, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Metropolitan Detention Center

haymarketrebel / Flickr

The National League of Cities (NLC) has published a new report suggesting local governments implement congestions as a tool for easing congestion, improving quality of life, and raising funds for infrastructure maintenance and improvements.

The "Making Space: Congestion Pricing in Cities" [pdf] report, references case studies in London, Stockholm, Singapore and New York, according to an article by Katie Pyzyk.

Perhaps most importantly for the future adoption of congestion pricing, "[t]he guide concludes that congestion pricing might become even more important in cities as electric vehicles (EVs) and and [sic] autonomous vehicles (AVs) grow more prevalent. "

"It also notes that small and medium-sized cities should remain open to the concept, and cities that don't yet struggle with traffic should as well," according to Pyzyk.

As if to further prove the improving potential of congestion pricing, The Oregonian this week published an op-ed supportive of congestion pricing for Portland, as written by Eric Fruits, vice president of research at Cascade Policy Institute and an adjunct economics professor at Portland State University.

Thursday, August 15, 2019 in Smart Cities Dive

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Streetcar and bus stopped at station on Market Street in San Francisco with Ferry Building visible in background.

Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street

If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.

April 16 - San Francisco Examiner

Parklet with wooden benches and flower boxes on street in Ireland.

Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces

Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.

April 16 - Streetsblog San Francisco

Bronze statue of homeless man (Jesus) with head down and arm outstretched in front of St. Matthew Cathedral in Washington D.C.

Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave

The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.

April 16 - The New York Times