This paper describes the system of toll roads in Oslo, Norway, and discusses some of the improvements that it has brought. The main reason for Oslo's toll-ring, opened in 1990, is to finance primary road construction. A subsidiary aim is to limit motor traffic, especially during peak periods and in vulnerable parts of the city. 19 toll stations have been installed on all approach roads to Oslo, at distances from the centre between 3km and 8km. Both manual and electronic toll collection systems are used. All inbound traffic must pay tolls, at all hours of the day, every day. On average, the traffic reduction due to the toll system is about 3%. The toll-ring has been less popular in Oslo than in Bergen, partly because popular in Oslo than in Bergen, partly because Oslo's toll is twice as much as Bergen's, and partly because clear improvements of traffic capacity have been achieved only for vehicles passing through the city centre. The new road network, now being built with the money raised by the tolls, has already much improved the capacity, environment and safety of the inner city, and traffic on the older central streets has been reduced by 60-70%. Many of the new roads are in tunnels, so that valuable city areas can be relieved. Local noise and air pollution are much reduced.
Abstract