The town of Isle is on a small island connected to Big City by a single bridge. Most of the residents of Isle work in Big City. As a result, the bridge becomes very congested for 2 hours each day at the typical morning and evening commute times. Which of the following policies considered by the mayor of Isle would likely be most effective in alleviating the congestion?
A)A fixed toll for the bridge payable by every vehicle crossing the bridge at all days and times.
B)A variable toll for the bridge payable only by vehicles crossing the bridge during the congested commute times.
C)Any vehicle crossing the bridge at any time must have a sticker paid for with a one-time fee of $25.
D)A press conference in which the mayor requests that people try to cross the bridge earlier or later than the typical commute times.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Option A would not be very effective in reducing congestion as there would be no incentive for people to change their commuting times. Option C would be unfair for people who only rarely need to cross the bridge, and may not significantly reduce congestion. Option D is a passive option that relies on people voluntarily changing their behavior, which may not be effective. Option B would incentivize people to avoid the congested periods by charging a higher toll during those times. This could help spread out the traffic and reduce congestion during peak periods.

The Town of Isle Is on a Small Island Connected