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.
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.
