This article details the implementation and running of a trial congestion charging scheme in the city of Stockholm, Sweden in 2006. Objectives of the scheme were to reduce city traffic, improve traffic flow, reduce emissions and improve the city environment. The system was designed and built in just over a year to high standards of punctuality and acceptability. Eighteen automatic control points were set up with technical equipment installed on gantries and at the roadside. Number plates were photographed and identified by optical character recognition. Tax decisions were made on the accumulated vehicle passages in each day. A public information campaign was carried out which eased the transition to the new situation, and extra customer service staff were gradually reduced. Payment by direct debit caused some problems at first. It was found that traffic, queueing time and vehicle emissions decreased in the inner city. Following evaluation, the congestion tax is to be re-introduced in 2007, and more convenient payment methods are being investigated.
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