The Traffic Solution Most Cities Haven't Tried

Provided by: Vox |Published on: April 27, 2021

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Synopsis

This video from Vox explains how congestion pricing, or charging motorists for using the road during high-traffic times, could solve multiple problems in New York City.
Students will learn about how effective congestion pricing has been in London and how a similar model could help other big cities.

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Subjects: Economics, Civics

Authors: Vox

Region: New York City

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

This video does a good job of establishing the pros and cons of enacting congestion pricing in New York City while also showing why congestion pricing may be the most viable option for the city's growing traffic problem.
Pie charts, graphs, and maps help visual learners understand the information presented in the video.

Prerequisites

This video begins with an advertisement.
The video does not address the positive environmental impact that congestion pricing might have on New York City.
Since this video was produced in 2019, New York City has developed a congestion pricing plan called the Central Business District Tolling Program.

Differentiation & Implementation

Science classes can do their own research to locate data on air pollution produced by personal vehicles versus public transit.
Younger students can create a mind map showing all of the problems that emanate from traffic in New York City and then discuss which of the problems could be solved by having fewer vehicles on the road.
History, social studies, or government classes can research the successes, failures, and changing public opinion of London's 2003 congestion pricing system.
Other resources related to this topic include Car-Free Streets Are Amazing (And We Need More of Them), What Makes Walkable Cities?, and Mapping Air Pollution in Oakland, CA.

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The Traffic Solution Most Cities Haven't Tried

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

Scientist Reviewed

Related Teaching Resources