Gunnar Tunkrans. Congestion charging in Stockholm

Transcription

1 Gunnar Tunkrans Congestion charging in Stockholm

2 30 % of Stockholm consists of water

3 Traffic pass the city over a few bridges During rush hour the Stockholm traffic system comes close to its maximum capacity. Over vehicles use the Essingeleden every day.

4 The congestion charging in Stockholm is in some ways unique It is a tax There was a 7 month long trial period Dramatic change in the public opinion Referendum was held

5 Trial Congestion Taxation in Stockholm Expanded public transport including park and ride facilities from autumn 2005 Trial period January July 2006 Referendum September 2006

6 Trial implementation of a congestion tax Sharp political debate complicated decision- making process Controversial Complicated legal issues: personal integrity, camera surveillance Legal process regarding procurement Tight time schedule New concept: Swedish vehicle owners unused to having to pay to use roads Legislation: paid within 5 days, no invoice, one payment at a time, tax not a charge, onboard units Many stakeholders

7 Congestion tax Regards only vehicles registered in Swedish going to and from the inner city of Stockholm The tax is levied on weekdays between 6.30 a.m. and 6.29 p.m. No tax is charged on public holidays, the day before a public holiday or during the month of July The amounts are 1, 1,5 or 2 EURO depending on the time of day. Maximum amount: 6 Euro per day and vehicle The tax is paid retroactively

8 Encompassing an area of 34.5 km² 1/3 of city inhabitants lives within the zone 18 control points located at Stockholm city entrances and exits

9 Laser detectors Sense when a vehicle drives past a control point, whereupon the cameras are activated Vehicles are registered automatically

10 The tax decision process Register passage Identifiy licence plate (OCR) Passage pricing Validate identification Validate pricing Verify tax liability Establish tax liable vehicle owner Summarize daily amounts Create and send out tax decision Handle payments Initiate direct debit Month 1 Month 2 Month 3

11 A visible impact on daily traffic Before After One out of four vehicles dissappeared

12 Stockholm (full-scale) trial The objectives were achieved Reduce traffic to and from the city by % during rush hour Reduction 20-25% Better level of service in Stockholm city traffic Queuing time reduction, 30-50% in the city Essingeleden (city by-pass) + 4-5% more traffic Reduction in the emissions of CO 2, NOx and particulate matter 14% reduction in city, 2.5% in Stockholm county City residents shall experience a better city environment Imprecise difficult to define and measure

13 Stockholm full-scale trial Where did all the cars go? Half of the cars that disappeared were commuters changing over to public transport corresponding to about a 5% increase in public transport travel to/from the inner city The remaining half was related to visits, recreational outings and shopping trips which changed in many different ways, e.g. change in destination, fewer trips (combined trips, etc.)

14 Why was the trial a success? It worked technically very well People have known what to do The traffic effects have exceeded the expectations People have seen the benefits by themselves Continuously measuring didn t give room for rumours People have been prepared to change their minds

15 Restart August 2007 Public opinion before, at and after the referendum 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 25% 51,50% 65% 75% 45,80% 35% Dec sep 2006 Dec 2007 Yes No

16 Number of passages

17 Why is traffic still increasing? Average charge is decreasing in real terms: Inflation More green cars (2% 15%) The Region The innercity General traffic increase driven by Incr. population/employment Incr. car ownership... which used to be kept in check by capacity problems!

18 Less emissions 10-14% Less emissions in the inner city positive long-term health effects significant reduction of exposure 2-3% Less CO 2 emissions in the county Amount of green cars : 15% (during the Trial 3 %) County 2-3% reduction Inner city 10-14% reduction

19 One year congestion tax Income, approximately: 850 MSEK Costs: 190 MSEK Revenue: 660 MSEK

20 City planning Dedicated bus lanes How is the revenue invested? 2012? The Stockholm Bypass Additional traffic lanes Improved traffic signals Roadside ITS Traffic Stockholm services: - Co modal journey planner - Smart Park & Ride facilities - Extended road assistance Evaluation of the congestion tax

21 Who pay the most? Inner city residents pay twice as much as the rest in the county Rich households pay three times as much as poor households Employed pay three times as much as the rest Men pay twice as much as women Households with children or two adults pay 50% more than the rest (per person)

22 What is happening today? The cost of operation is cut No exemption for Green cars registered after 1st January 2009 Establishing a national system following a European harmonisation Monthly invoice implemented

23 Thank you Rick Tomlinson / Volvo Ocean Race More information gunnar.tunkrans@sweroad.se