Policy: Urban Congestion Charge

Congestion charging is a type of road user charge (RUC), which aims to reduce vehicle use by charging users for entering a specific zone at a given time. It is distinct from highway tolls and other types of road user charges because it is a local scheme designed to respond to local conditions. As congestion worsens, congestion charging can potentially be an effective market-based instrument for carbon abatement. There are a number of different congestion charging mechanisms including area-wide schemes where motorists pay as they cross a cordon around an area (or pay to locate within the area), toll charges on specific roads or lanes, or distance-based charges.

Primarily private car use but can also be applied to all forms of road transport.

• Mode choice           
• Trip timing          
• Route choice

Implementation costs:

• Range: 9 - 500 million GBP
• Average: 232 million GBP

Implementation time:

• Under 5 years based on case evidence from London and Stockholm

Case evidence:

• 16.4 – 19.5% against background levels within the charging zone.

Modelled estimates(including Life-cycle estimates):

• 0.3 – 2.0% against background levels within the charging zone.

Note:

Actual and theoretical savings are based on before and after measurements over the same period within charging zones.

Applicable to large dense urban centres characteristic of Central London and other European cities.

Case evidence:

• 1 – 2 years

Modelling estimates:

• Under 5 yrs.

• Vehicle speed and congestion          
• Air quality        
• Time savings        
• Road safety

Overview:

• Primarily focusing on European cities

In-depth coverage:

• London
• Stockholm
• Singapore

Highlighted synergies:

• Integrated approach
• Clean technologies
• Smart measures

• Leadership & championing
• Improved public transport services
• Up-front investment
• Fairness and equity
• Enforcement
• Public awareness
• Understanding local dynamics