Rekeningrijden (the Dutch name for electronic road pricing) is the introduction of a pricing mechanism into the traffic system. In this system, the costs of car transport are dependent on the time at which the journey is made and the destination. The measure therefore stimulates road users to weigh up all the alternatives before making a journey, such as choosing a different time of travel, an alternative route or method of transport, transport management, or cancelling the journey altogether. The Dutch government intends to introduce rekeningrijden in the Netherlands in the year 2001 in the morning rush-hour on roads around Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and the Hague. The idea is that, from 2001 onwards, road users in the morning rush-hour will pay to use those roads on which traffic jams occur around these four major cities. Fee collection points will be set up on the roads around the four major cities. Anyone requiring access to these cities between 0700 and 0900 on weekdays must pay. This will be a single payment, with no extra charge on leaving the city. (A*)
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