I've always been intrigued with the idea of charging people more (or less) to use public expressways depending on the time of day and expected traffic flow. Some cities have already implemented hi-speed scanning stations that deduct tolls from moving cars- sort of like a Sunpass that doesn't require you to slow down.

This essay heard on NPR's "Marketplace" this week disputes the argument that "Rush-hour pricing" is elitist... forcing poorer commuters to side roads or off-hour drive times. Commentator Tyler Cowen goes further claiming the sliding scale for tolls will not only reduce traffic jams that eat up countless hours of our lives, but will reduce global warming and even help the real estate market.  Wouldn't it be cool if The Bay Area could be an innovator in solving the problem of gridlock, serving as a model to the nation and the world? Wouldn't it be cool if The Bay Area could be an innovator in something?