A new study finds that recent toll
changes on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge have reduced
congestion.

   The Metropolitan Transportation Commission commissioned a study
by University of Berkeley researchers that looked at the impact of
restructuring tolls in July 2010.

   Among the changes, the MTC imposed the region's first
congestion-based toll, raising the toll from $4 to $6 during peak
hours.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the study found that drivers are saving as much as 16 minutes on
some bridge approaches.

   Another change was charging a $2.50 toll for carpool lanes,
which used to be free.

The study found that contributed to a 26-percent decline in
carpool lane usage. Researchers and officials attribute the decline
to carpoolers opting for mass transit and carpool cheaters being
weeded out.