Stockholm, Sweden, has a wonderful public transit system that includes busses, subway lines and boats. Drottningatan, a major street for pedestrians only, winds through the city, lined with shops and cafes. Auto traffic in and out of the city can be heavy at times, and an American might suggest widening the roads. But not the Swedes. They are cutting auto congestion by taxing autos that enter the city during peak hours.

An outdoor café on Drottningatan Street, where automobiles are not allowed

Last month, an innovative one-year traffic congestion control trial implementation concluded in Stockholm, and will be on the general election ballot next month to determine if it will continue.

The implementation, conducted by IBM, the Swedish Road Administration and the city of Stockholm, assesses vehicle owners a congestion tax "if their vehicle passes a control point on the way in or out of the Stockholm inner city area on weekdays between 6.30 a.m. and 6.29 p.m."

At any one of 18 control points about the city, cameras photograph number plates, and some vehicles are also equipped with direct-debit electronic systems.

In a release last March after the first month of the trial, IBM touted success in reducing traffic by 25 percent and increased public transport usage by 40,000 users per day while cutting peak-time road congestion.

IBM said the system is the largest implementation of a microwave tag and beacon system in a European city environment. The technology chosen allows the city authority to vary the charge throughout the day, drivers to have direct debit accounts and a more efficient total operation.

In addition to reducing traffic, the city aims to improve the environment as well as increase accessibility for busses and cars. According to one release, the city fact has had to change bus schedules since they now move through the city faster.

The Stockholm system features 18 barrier-free control points around the charging zone equipped with roadside beacons and cameras to identify vehicles. All eligible vehicles entering or leaving the charging zone are charged based on time of day, with fares highest during peak rush hours, and up to a maximum charge per day.

Payment is via a number of channels including by direct debit triggered by the recognition of an electronic tag that is loaned to drivers. Camera and number plate recognition technologies identify those vehicles without tags, and are also used to verify tag readings and provide evidence to support the enforcement of non-payers. Payment channels for those without transponders include, via a Giro system at banks or over the Internet, and through retail stores.

The use of the transponders fitted in vehicles means the system has a more reliable capture rate and a more cost-effective back-room operation than congestion charging systems that do not use such devices. It also makes it far easier to operate variable charging with automated direct debit after the passage.
KW