In Trondheim, the population is familiar with electronic tolling and is used to being charged for road use (albeit for revenue raising for infrastructure improvements). Against this background, the field trial TRON 2 with its main focus on achieving shifts in trip timing to reduce congestion in peak periods was implemented. The trials formed part of the EU-sponsored CONCERT Project (DG VII and DG XIII). All cars belonging to 175 households were equipped with electronic tags, and strategically located virtual charging systems were installed. The households were allocated money budgets according to "normal" travel behaviour, as recorded electronically. The prices during the test reflected in a detailed way the actual level of service situation on the roads during morning peak hours. The trial has been evaluated with a focus on changes in travelling behaviour and effects on user acceptance and attitudes, using panel surveys, system transaction data and traffic counts. Attitudes to the traditional concept of road pricing as an instrument to manage demand improved among the test participants from 23% being positive before the test started to 30% being positive at the end of the test. However, if congestion charging were introduced in such a way that the total cost of car ownership and use were not increased, 61% were positive. Preliminary analysis of the system transaction data indicates significant shifts away from time periods having high and medium high charge levels. The major amount of these changes in timing is attributable to about one third of the participants.
Abstract