This paper reports the implementation and effects of a new heavy vehicle fee in Switzerland. This replaced a former flat fee and was charged on three factors: distance driven on Swiss roads, admissible weight, and emissions. Consequences have included optimisation of logistics to reduce empty runs, increase in costs in road transport, and financing for the railway to improve its competitiveness. Effects seen include renovation of the overall lorry fleet for better efficiency; concentration of the road transport industry into larger companies; and a decrease in truck traffic. Effects on the railway system had not yet become apparent. It is seen that demand is satisfied in a more efficient and more sustainable way, but reduction in demand is not yet established. For the covering abstract see ITRD E118367.
Samenvatting