The Revitalist

With all the chatter about congestion pricing in New York, San Francisco and other major cities, the Wall Street Journal takes a look at how the granddaddy pricing scheme is working in London. The crux seems to be that congestion pricing has definitely limited the number of cars in Central London on a daily basis, resulting in less smog, noise and congestion. But it has also had a number of unanticipated effects, such as a later rush on hospital emergency rooms after the charge period is over for the day, people driving to the edge of the zone and waiting for the period to end to enter the city, or people living within the charge zone actually driving more in Central London since it doesn't cost them any more than going around the block. It is interesting to watch the Law of Unintended Consequences play out from across the pond.