Policy: Behaviour Target

Congestion charging has the potential to provide clear signals to drivers about the true costs of motoring thereby inducing behaviour change. By changing motorists’ behaviour, it is possible to improve traffic efficiency resulting in quicker journeys and reduced emissions (Kakkad & Rossiter, 2007). More specifically, emissions related congestion charging could raise public awareness of the environmental impacts of different types of passenger cars. For example, it is expected that an emissions related congestion charge implemented in London would assist drivers in better understanding the CO₂ impacts of carbon intensive vehicles thereby encouraging a shift away from purchasing and using such vehicles towards uptake of lower carbon emitting vehicles (AEA, 2007; Kakkad & Rossiter, 2007).