The six-month road pricing trial, conducted in the city of Eindhoven, was designed to provide the Dutch government with insights to address the challenge of traffic congestion in the Netherlands. The test was overwhelmingly successful, with 70 percent of drivers changing their behavior to avoid rush-hour travel when presented with the right incentives, demonstrating that road pricing systems can have a positive effect on driving habits and help alleviate traffic.
On average, these drivers in the trial saw an improvement of more than 16 percent in average cost per kilometer.A clear system of incentives is critical to changing driving behavior.
Instant feedback provided via an On-Board Unit display on the price of the road chosen and total charges for the trip are essential to maximizing the change in behavior.
Another trial from Stockholm:A 58 percent reduction in delays caused by traffic jams;
A 15 percent reduction in the total number of kilometers driven annually;
A 10 percent reduction in CO2 emissions;
A 6 percent increase in total passenger kilometers via public transportation;
More than 50 percent of Dutch households will pay less than they do currently for the motor vehicle tax and vehicle purchase tax.
A full-scale six-month trial was in affect from January through July of 2006 and a detailed evaluation was carried out. The stated goals were to reduce congestion and enhance public transportation to increase accessibility, and improve the environment. The project goal was to reduce traffic by 10 to 15 percent. The pricing scheme was then reintroduced permanently in August 2007.
The following environmental impacts were documented. Observed reductions in the inner city included:
- 10-14 percent in Carbon Dioxide (2-3 percent in the County),
- 7 percent in NOX
- 9 percent in particulates.
- Emissions declined near population centers.
- There was no measurable change in noise impacts.
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