Siemens London congestion charge technology behind 20% traffic fall in 10 years

Siemens claims the use of its technology to enforce London’s congestion charge has been critical to achieving a 20% reduction in traffic and traffic jams being cut by a third in the first 10 years of the charge being in operation. The number of vehicles being driven in London each day is now said by the company to be down by 60,000 compared to 2003. A Siemens spokesperson said: “London's congestion charge is a successful model, showing how chronically congested urban areas can get traffic moving again. Traf
February 18, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Siemens press picture
1134 Siemens claims the use of its technology to enforce London’s congestion charge has been critical to achieving a 20% reduction in traffic and traffic jams being cut by a third in the first 10 years of the charge being in operation.

The number of vehicles being driven in London each day is now said by the company to be down by 60,000 compared to 2003.

A Siemens spokesperson said: “London's congestion charge is a successful model, showing how chronically congested urban areas can get traffic moving again. Traffic jams are reduced, public transport speeded up, and the quality of air improved. With the congestion charge system, pollution in central London has fallen by 150,000tonnes of CO2 annually.

“Siemens technology makes London's congestion charge possible: Intelligent video systems register license plates by means of Video Scene Analysis and, following a check against a database, recognise whether the congestion charge has been paid.”

Picture caption: Siemens press picture – Siemens has played a leading role in London’s 10-year-old congestion charge network

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Improved roadmarkings will boost roadway safety for users
    February 19, 2013
    An Innovative road marking system helping to boost public transport in a major South American city, and road marking analytic technology robust enough to withstand damage in heavy rain are among products examined by Guy Woodford . DEGAROUTE Methacylate (MMA) cold plastic area markings from Evonik Industries are being used as part of efforts to improve the public transport system in Santiago, Chile. By adding red pigment to the DEGAROUTE binder, distinctive and long-lasting red-coloured bus lanes are being c
    Read More
  • Road safety challenge for Europe
    June 25, 2012
    The latest official figures on road safety in Europe are giving cause for concern, with data showing that casualty reduction has slowed. EU transport commissioner Siim Kallas recently announced disappointing progress in casualty reduction on Europe's roads. The joint European police association, TISPOL, has added that it is also concerned that improvements in cutting fatalities on Europe’s roads significantly slowed in 2011. The overall figure shows a reduction of just 2% in the total number of people kille
    Read More
  • Transport under the spotlight
    February 13, 2012
    A round-up of some of the major transport-related meetings that have been held in Europe. Compiled by Patrick Smith. Europe has hosted a number of annual events over the last few weeks, where important matters of transport were discussed, reports produced, and decisions taken. ASECAP (the European Association of Tolled Motorways, Bridges and Tunnels Infrastructures Operators); International Transport Forum (ITF); Arena (TRA); International Road Federation (IRF), and the European Construction Industry Federa
    Read More
  • Golden route to success
    July 20, 2012
    Built in 1937 and still the ninth longest suspension bridge in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge across San Francisco Bay remains in fine shape despite its age - Andrew Bardin Williams writes The Golden Gate Bridge turned 75 years old on May 27 and continues to play a key role in the transportation, engineering, construction and ITS communities. The structure has played an important historical role, an engineering success that boosted the economy of the region. And it also led the way as the first major pub
    Read More

Highlighted Content