Regional transportation coalition outlines congestion tools including dynamic lanes and ride-share apps; Pitkin commissioners ask for EOTC briefing
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Summary
A regional Transportation Coalition briefed commissioners on a menu of options to reduce congestion: roadway improvements, enhanced transit, carpooling/ride-share apps and disincentives such as dynamic HOT lanes or peak congestion fees. Commissioners asked staff to arrange a presentation to the regional EOTC and for public outreach.
A representative of the Roaring Fork Valley Transportation Coalition presented policy options aimed at reducing congestion and greenhouse-gas emissions and increasing transit and ride-share options.
The coalition grouped potential actions into four categories: roadway and roundabout engineering changes; expanded and free transit options (including increased park-and-ride and microtransit); an app-driven program to match carpoolers and facilitate casual carpooling; and disincentive-based approaches such as dynamic high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes or peak-hour congestion pricing that would generate revenue to fund transit and rideshare incentives.
Commissioners supported further study of options and asked staff to request a briefing to the regional Elected Officials Transportation Committee (EOTC) so the full set of jurisdictions can comment on design and public outreach. Commissioners emphasized the need to test pilot approaches, protect transit speeds, and ensure down-valley communities are not disadvantaged by any pricing scheme.
Board members also noted technological advances since prior studies and asked the coalition to include implementation plans and public-outreach timelines when it returns with formal recommendations. The coalition said it will seek consensus across jurisdictions and expect additional public meetings and outreach down valley.