Increased Traffic: Lower toll costs could lead to more people driving, resulting in increased traffic congestion. This would lead to higher emissions from vehicles, contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Induced Demand: Lower tolls could stimulate additional demand for driving, meaning that even if some people switch from private vehicles to public transportation or other greener modes, the overall number of vehicles on the road may not decrease significantly. This can still result in negative environmental impacts.
Reduced Incentive for Alternative Transportation: Making driving cheaper by reducing tolls could discourage people from considering and transitioning to more environmentally friendly transportation options such as public transit, walking, or cycling.
Lack of Funding for infrastructure: Depending on how tolls are structured, decreasing toll costs may lead to reduced revenue for transportation infrastructure improvements and maintenance. This reduced funding may consequently limit investments in public transport, clean vehicle technologies, and sustainable urban planning, all of which are crucial for promoting and facilitating environmentally friendly choices.
However, in certain scenarios, lowering toll costs could be beneficial to the environment if it encourages people to travel during less congested times or promotes carpooling and shared mobility solutions. Well-designed and targeted changes in toll pricing may need to be part of a broader transportation policy that supports shifting to more sustainable travel behaviors and reducing overall dependency on cars.
