Also discussed here: Snabbt resultat av trängselskatt i Göteborg (translated from Swedish: Quick results of the congestion charge in Gothenburg)(Swedish Transport Agency)
And here: Betalstationernas placering i Göteborg (translated from Swedish: Pay stations located in Gothenburg)(Swedish Transport Agency)
Sweden again shows world leadership and and their leaders, political courage, in reducing carbon emissions (to become carbon neutral within a decade) both nationally and municipally in transportation, through congestion charging, building on the success seen in its largest city, Stockholm. After only one day, traffic flow (and emissions) was down 25% compared to recent years, indicating how efficient this approach is compared to the miniscule, incremental emission reductions resulting of tailpipe technology improvements used by governments in the US and Canada to reduce vehicle pollution . Overhead cameras register the vehicles crossing the city limit boundary and bill the drivers automatically in a system similar to the one used for Canada’s toll highway 407, near Toronto.
Key Quotes:
“Sweden's second city Gothenburg will introduce a road toll on January 1 for all motorists entering or leaving the city, similar to one already in place in the capital Stockholm.. Gothenburg's city council approved the congestion charge in a vote in 2010, and it was later approved by the Swedish parliament.”
“The system aimed at financing infrastructure investments, reducing greenhouse gases and cutting traffic in Gothenburg's city centre by around 15 percent, will include some 40 toll stations around the city.”
“Motorists entering and leaving the city Monday to Friday will pay between eight and 18 kronor ($1.2 to $2.75, 0.93 to 2.10 euros), depending on the time of day, with an upper limit of 60 kronor a day…The charge is to be paid between the hours of 6:00 am and 6:29 pm.”
“Wednesday, January 2, 2013 was the first day that the congestion tax was levied in Gothenburg. During the early morning hours of 6:30 to 8:30, traffic declined by 25 percent compared to the same day in previous years.”
Related articles
No comments:
Post a Comment