Today we review a comprehensive guide that describes
the various steps necessary to develop and then implement a successful
congestion charging system, borrowing on examples of established systems in
Stockholm, London and Singapore, among others. Although aimed at developing
countries, many of the principles and preparations needed are common to the
developed world as well – such as, being prepared with responses to eight
objections or concerns often made to any such scheme. The underlying objective
has to include elements of fairness of application, as well as environmental
and economic benefits with as few exemptions to being charged as possible.
Key
Quotes:
“When
people drive cars, they contribute to road damage, emit harmful pollutants,
noise and vibrations and cause delays for others. Considering this, the
travel decision of one individual imposes costs on others. In most transport
systems the costs imposed on others are not fully paid for by the traveller.
Congestion charging is a way to put such costs on drivers. “
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“Arguments
are that congestion charging (1) is unfair, (2) harms the privacy of citizens,
(3) not achieve the intended effects and (4) will damage the economy. “
“The
higher the charge, the lower the public acceptability is, and travellers with a
higher value-of-time perception have a higher acceptance of congestion charging
…Even if a high value of time may correlate with income levels, these two
things are not the same.”
“Factors
that affect public acceptance:
“Experience:
The more
experience …the higher the acceptance.
Dislike
of government intervention: ..government
should intervene as little as possible..
Interest
in environmental issues: ..environmental
problems are severe and need to be addressed will favour congestion charging
more.
Value
of time: The
higher the perceived value of time.., the higher the acceptance for congestion
charging… the more benefit travelers get in return for the paid charge.
Frequency
of car use: The
more travellers use their cars, the lower the acceptance level.”
“As soon
as congestion charging policies become active - assuming all technologies
function and the system is appropriately designed - people will find the system
more acceptable. In most cases acceptability rises above a 50%.”
“Recommendations:
·
Focus on impacts
·
Do the homework
·
Use models to forecast effects
·
Prepare to respond to concerns
·
Make revenues generated and how the money is spent
transparent
·
Invest in alternative travel options
·
Let the functional design drive the technological
solution
·
Reduce political risk by building in redundancies
that can later be removed
·
Make sure people understand how to use the system
·
Have a solid legal framework”
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