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Dutch road-pricing trial sees driver behaviour change
9 March, 2010
A landmark road pricing trial in the Netherlands has seen 70% of drivers changing their behaviour to avoid rush-hour travel when presented with “the right incentives”.
The six-month trial by NXP Semiconductors and IBM has logged more than 300,000 test kilometres with the technology, which charges car owners for use of their car based on road type, time of day and environmental characteristics of their car. It also gives drivers feedback to influence driving behaviour.
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The scheme was conducted in the city of Eindhoven, to provide the Dutch government with insight on how to address traffic congestion in Holland.
The Netherlands will introduce a new road-use charge starting in 2012 for trucks and lorries, and 2013 for passenger cars.
It is expected to be up and running nationwide by 2016.
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Readers' comments
"Change in behaviour" is not necessarily for the better. If 70% of drivers are changing the way they use their car, it means very many cannot afford the road pricing charges. This translates into less economic activity and a denial of their freedom to visit friends, relatives and seek work. Road pricing will always be spun as a success by the companies seeking to make € billions out of providing the technology but for the average person, it will be a constraint on their freedoms and an expensive intrusion into their lives.