The Trondheim scheme ceased to operate on 31 December 2005 as the agreed tolling period of 15 years has come to an end. There is a local debate about new road pricing initiatives, but nothing is decided. All the roadside equipment will be scrapped.
Trondheim is the first city ever to stop collecting tolls.
Type of Scheme
- Area-wide variable pricing scheme.
Date of Introduction
Background
- Norway has a long tradition of using tolls to finance one-off transport infrastructure projects such as bridges and tunnels.
- Between 1983 and 1987 traffic in Trondheim grew by 25% creating problems for the city centre and residential areas alike.
- As 50% of the traffic in the city centre used to be 'through traffic', a toll ring around the city was initially introduced in 1991 to fund the building of new ring roads so that the heaviest traffic would not have to pass through the city centre.
- This cordoned area was eventually divided in to several zones in 1998 and a differential charging system introduced for trips within each zone.
Aim
- Primary objective was to collect funds for road investments, but a fixed share of 20% was earmarked for public transport, safety and environmental investments related to traffic.
How it Works
Charges:
- Only ingoing traffic is charged for entering the cordon (the city centre) between 6:00 and 18:00 on regular working days with no charge on weekends.
- Toll prices go up during peak rush hours and there are two charging periods with differing rates - 6am to 10 am and 10am to 6pm.
- Heavy goods vehicles pay a double toll.
- Limits are imposed on the number of charges that can be made so that people living near the ring, or those who have to make frequent crossings, do not have large bills.
- AutoPASS account holders with electronic tags (see technology section) either have seasonal pass (month or year) or a number of pre-paid passes.
- Payment can be drawn directly from these drivers' bank accounts.
- Drivers are incentivised to use the AutoPASS system -the electronic tags are provided free to all car users in Trondheim and there is a discount for using it.
Technology:
- Trondheim's was the world's first cordon ring to use an automated electronic payment system (AutoPASS) to collect tolls.
- The AutoPASS system requires each vehicle to have an electronic tag - a device that must be installed by the driver on the windscreen behind the mirror so that it can be read by the electronic toll booths.
- AutoPASS deducts a fee from vehicles passing the 20 unmanned electronic toll booths each time they enter the toll zone or pass a toll point within the zone. Only 2 toll booths are manned.
- About 95% of vehicles entering the city during rush hour have an account with Autopass and use the electronic tag.
- Payment is made by a deposit on account or by automatic bank account withdrawals.
- Post payment is an option for drivers with direct debit agreements in place.
- Occasional users can pay by automatic coin machine or by a 'swipecard' at barriered lanes.
- AutoPASS operates across the whole of Norway so that drivers using the various toll roads and bridges as well as entering the various tolled cordon schemes (Oslo, Trondheim etc.) can pay the different toll fees with the same piece of kit in their car (electronic tag) and without having to stop.
- The AutoPASS technology is owned and managed by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA).
Enforcement:
- Enforcement is done by cameras which take pictures of the number plates of the drivers who do not have an AutoPASS account and invoice is sent to them by post.
Revenue
- Around 150NKr is generated per year - sufficient to finance the last round of investments for city's planned surface transport infrastructure for 2005.
Benefits/Results
- First year after opening, inbound traffic during toll hours decreased by more than 10 per cent.
- Traffic problems are currently minimal.
- Public transport has been improved as well as new provisions for pedestrians and cyclists.
Public Opinion
- Public opinion was initially opposed at 72%, dropped to 48% two months after launch and reduced to 36% by 1996.
Websites
Norwegian Public Roads Administration:
www.vegvesen.no.
Autopass:
www.autopass.no/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1204190639488&pagename=autopass%2FAPside.
References
Kristian Waersted (2005), Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Urban Tolling in Norway - Practical Experiences, Social and Environmental Impacts & Plans for Future Systems.
Bekkn and Osland (2005), Institute of Transport Economics, Norway, The Establishment & Development of Norwegian Toll Cordons.
Ieromonachou, Potter & Warren (2005), Faculty of Technology, Open University, Comparing Urban Road Pricing Implementation & Management Strategies from the UK and Norway.
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