Are Toll Roads a Good Thing

From Lazer

I heard today that San Diego have just opened a new toll road. That got me thinking about what are the benefits and non benefits to a toll road.

In economic sense a toll road is a great benefit. They cut down on traffic, because consumer directly see the cost of using the road. On the other hand, a non-toll road the consumer does not see a clear cost for using the road. This makes me believe that all roads should be toll roads. If all cars were required to have the FastTrack system (a device that charges your credit card for using a toll road) on them than people would budget their driving like they do their spending.

In environment sense a toll road is a great benefit also. From the above reasoning if people started to cut down on their driving because they see a direct cost to them, then car pollution would decrease. Like San Diego is doing now, give cost and time incentive for people that use more pollution free cars.

The only non-benefits that I can see is the negative view people see toll roads. I now avoid toll roads, because I do not want the hassle of stopping and paying at the end. I feel my time spent is worth the price of the toll.

One bad thing about the FastTrack system is that it will not work for non-residents of the state.