ney’s ParadigmParalysis


What are the benefits? According to the system’s official website (www.cclon-


don.com), more than five years after the congestion charge was launched, traffic levels are still down, but congestion has risen back to pre-charging levels. This is caused by decreasing levels of road space due to awidespread programofwater and gasmain replacement works and traffic management measures to assist pedestrians and other road users. The authorities believe that congestionwould be significant-


ly worse without the sustained traffic reductions brought about by the charge. By law, all net revenue raised by the charge has to be invested in improving transport in London. Since the conges- tion charge scheme started: Traffic entering the original charging zone remains 21%


lower than pre-charge levels (70,000 fewer cars a day). Traffic entering theWestern Extension has fallen by 14%


(30,000 fewer cars a day). There has been a 6% increase in bus passengers during


charging hours. There has been a 12% increase in cycle journeys into the


Western Extension. £137 million ($200) was raised in fiscal 2007/08 to invest back into improving transport in London.


Congestion Charging - Italian Style The metropolitan area ofMilan, Italy’s second-largest city,


is estimated by the OECD to have a population of 7.4 million. This makes it reasonably comparable to Sydney, which has a metropolitan area population of approximately 4.34 million (2008 estimate). Milan’s Ecopass congestion charge system was introduced


in January 2007 as an experimental project, with the objectives of improving sustainable mobility and improving the environ- ment and the health of the city’s residents. As part of the plan, some infrastructure projects are in


implementation phase, including improvements to public trans- port; extension of controlled on-street parking rules; extension of priority lanes for public transport and construction of new cycle lanes.


The Ecopass Area The Ecopass charging area is delimited by 43 electronic


access locations where cameras have been installed to identify the passage of vehicles into the area. The vehicle details are transmitted to a computer that is able to recognise the car’s pol- lution level, the applicable tariff, and the availability of credit in the customer’s account. Vehicles must have a valid Ecopass if they intend to travel


within the area on weekdays between 07:30 and 19:30. No charges apply on weekends and public holidays.


How Ecopass charges are calculated Different from the London tariffs, inMilan the congestion


charge increases as the pollution class of vehicles increases. The current tariffs, which are charged per day (with no limit of entries) are as follows: Euro Class 3: €2 (approx. $3 Euro Class


4:€5 (approx. $7); and Euro Class 5:€10 (approx. $13). The account has to be validated on the day of entry or the


following day, and this can be done via the purchase of a prepaid card, the Internet, a toll-free number or at certain banks and via direct debit.


The penalties If a vehicle is identified by the cameras situated at the entry


points as not having a valid activated account (within the 24 hours after the date of entry) or has registered with a lower class than the actual pollution class attributed to the vehicle or exceeds 7metres in length, there will be a fine issued that varies between €70 and €285 (approx. $100 and $350).


The benefits According


to the Milan Council’s website


(www.comune.milano.it), these are the recorded benefits after the first 12months of the Ecopass system: Reductions in traffic – 5 million fewer polluting vehicles


recorded in the centre ofMilan in 2008. Increases in supply of public transport – additional 10,000


public transport places in peak hour and additional 1,300 bus and tramroutes. Increase in use of public transport – additional 35 million


public transport trips in 2008. Reduction in accidents – 14.4%less accidents in the centre


ofMilan. Reduction in pollution – equivalent to reduction by 62 days


in which theminimumlevels were exceeded. Revenues raised by the introduction of the Ecopass in the


first sixmonths of 2009 amounted to€5.9million (approx. $7). The full amount was reinvested in the sustainable transport ini- tiatives, particularly improvements to public transport.


Conclusion Whilst Glazebrook’s idea of a new rail systemis undoubted-


ly amust for anymajor city, it is an expensive and long-termsolu- tion.Acongestion charge systembased on the London andMilan experiences would be relatively cheap and simple to introduce, and the revenues generated would help fund the rail solution.


Cristina Lynn is Managing Partner of Parking Consultants International.


PT


three weeks early at parkingtoday.com


See PT NOVEMBER 2009 • PARKING TODAY • www.parkingtoday.com 25


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