Third Annual London Congestion Pricing Report

Transport for London releases its third annual report on Central London's congestion charging program.

2 minute read

May 17, 2005, 11:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


The report indicates that the program's benefits (congestion reductions, transit service improvements, reduced traffic accidents and improved air quality) continue, and provides more detailed analysis of the program's revenues, operating costs, and impacts on business activity.

This Third Annual Monitoring Report supersedes, updates and extends the material published since the First Annual Monitoring Report. It provides a full consideration of developments during 2004, alongside comparisons with the first year after charging (2003), and conditions before the introduction of the scheme in 2002.

Among the findings:

  • Taking an average of all available post-charging congestion surveys, reductions to delays inside the charging zone during charging hours remain at around 30 percent compared to pre-charging conditions in 2002.
  • During 2004, congestion charging has continued to meet its principal traffic and transport objectives; and the scheme continues to operate satisfactorily.
  • Patterns of travel in and around the charging zone have remained stable throughout 2004, and closely comparable to those seen in 2003 shortly after the introduction of charging.
  • The total volume of traffic entering the charging zone during charging hours in 2004 was identical to 2003, continuing to represent a reduction of 18 percent against pre-charging levels in 2002.
  • Respondents living inside the charging zone were most positive about the change in their local area as a result of the scheme, particularly the reduction in congestion. Respondents to separate surveys on-street also perceived improvements in the general amenity of the area, air quality, noise, traffic levels and public transport provision.
  • [Editor's note: The link below is to a 2MB, 162-page PDF document.]

    Thanks to Todd Litman

    Monday, May 16, 2005 in Transport For London

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