Fixing Seattle's Traffic Congestion: A Route to Cleaner Air and Better Lives

Seattle's tremendous growth has brought great opportunity—but also some real challenges. By 2035, the population is estimated to grow by 12% and jobs by 17% by 2035.

This means that congestion will continue to imperil the lifestyle of its residents. The stress of long commutes and wasted hours of traffic—combined with increased air pollution—is a problem applicable to all residents.

But there is hope.

TYLin assisted the Seattle Department of Transportation in a study that analyzed the impact of congestion pricing. With creative congestion pricing, Seattle can do much more than just fix its traffic woes. It also cleans up the air of the city and makes it much healthier for all people to live in.

Congestion pricing is a mechanism that can apply charges for vehicle travel into or through particular areas, typically at peak periods, to discourage people's behavior in terms of when and how they travel. The mechanism is aimed at reducing the number of cars on the road and reducing emissions.

Equitable Solutions for Diverse Communities

It's not just about reducing congestion—it’s also about being fair and just. We know that congestion impacts people so differently, while the costs of traffic and transportation weigh heavily on some more than others.

The grind of long commutes and undependable traffic can be almost unbearable for too many mostly low-income or those working multiple jobs. Our approach focuses on fairness to these communities to ensure they realize the gains from better transit options and lower costs. We work to close this gap so that all Seattle residents can access equal opportunities and fulfill their potential.

The revenue from congestion pricing could be utilized to financially support transit fares, improve the transit system, and enhance pedestrian and bike networks. These investments will make it cheaper and easier for residents to drive less. For instance, a portion of the revenue raised could be used to subsidize discounted-rate transit passes for low-income families.

A Realized Vision for a Sustainable Future

This is bold and just exactly what Seattle needs: to be carbon-neutral by 2050. Currently, 66% of Seattle's greenhouse gases are due to road transport. Congestion pricing will be the most important step toward reducing these emissions and tackling climate change.

Lessons learned from cities like Stockholm and London show that such measures dramatically decrease traffic and pollution. By adopting these strategies, Seattle will benefit not just its own daily life in the city but also global efforts as a front-line leader in the campaign against climate change.

We can rise to the challenge of reducing traffic congestion and improving our air, reliability in commute, affordability in cost, and getting closer toward carbon neutrality by 2050. This type of initiative would bring on a new type of paradigm in urban planning, one that could be looked at as a model for other cities moving forward.