The battle over whether Honolulu should have a rail transit system is getting so hot it is producing — as they say in the military — collateral damage.

One example: Councilman Charles Djou's call for a study of congestion pricing, or charging drivers for being on the road during peak traffic hours. Mayor Mufi Hannemann says if the Council approves such a study, he'll veto the bill.

Why?

Because, the mayor says, the study would be expensive and besides, it wouldn't be right to begin charging folks when they have no alternative. Good arguments, but somewhat beside the point. In the first place, there is an alternative today: TheBus. It may not be appealing to many drivers, but it does exist.

But the larger point is that even if, or when, Honolulu does build a fixed rail system, alternate traffic management schemes will have to be put in place. In fact, the existence of a rail system will virtually demand that other traffic-reduction options be imposed.

Even the city's own studies show that only a small percentage of people will ride the train, at least at first. By some measurements, getting a small percentage of drivers off the road may be all that is needed. Notice how traffic flows more smoothly when UH is not in session, even though campus commuters represent a tiny percentage of total rush-hour traffic volume.

In truth, a package of traffic reduction strategies will have to be created around the rail system. These include higher parking fees in downtown parking garages, perhaps a change in zoning laws that today mandate plenty of parking and, yes, congestion pricing.

Congestion pricing exists around the world. London has it, with most people saying it has had at least some effect on the notorious inner-city traffic.

Same story in Singapore, which has an all-encompassing congestion pricing scheme. It is a sophisticated high-tech system that keeps traffic flowing. Singaporeans have the option of riding a sleek new subway system or using buses or regulated taxis if they don't want to pay for the privilege of driving.

Some management techniques would be simple. Others, such as congestion pricing, are much more complex and deserve a full study of the pros and cons. Is it too early to conduct such a study right now? Perhaps. But the idea will have to be looked at somewhere along the line.

The Hannemann administration may think that the congestion-pricing idea is being floated as an alternative to rail. Djou is certainly no fan of the rail project.

But the truth is that approaches such as congestion pricing will become critical not as an alternative to rail, but because of it.

Jerry Burris' column appears Wednesdays. See his blog at http://akamaipolitics.honadvblogs.com. Reach him at jrryburris@yahoo.com.

Jerry Burris' column appears Wednesdays in this space. See his blog at blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com/akamaipolitics. Reach him at jrryburris@yahoo.com.