Abstract
In 2017, the newly installed Dutch government announced in its coalition agreement to introduce a distance-based heavy goods vehicle charge, similar to the charges levied in other European countries. To study the possible transport impacts, we applied available models and methods in preparation for the introduction of this truck charge in the Netherlands in 2023, in order to present decision information to the government on different aspects of the charge. In this paper we present the analysis of different implementation scenarios for a distance-based truck charge. Different behavioural responses can be expected in terms of freight transport demand, mode choice, logistic efficiency, and route choice. Many studies however lack sufficient detail to properly describe the impact of road charges for HGV on OD flows and freight traffic. In our contribution we explore the bandwidth of impacts of different pricing schemes, using strategic transport models for freight demand and traffic assignment, with detailed modal split and route choice models, ensuring a proper representation of generalsed transport costs. We explain how we use available transport models in an overarching analytical framework to make a comprehensive impact assessment of the different responses, and to decompose the impacts on the different responses. Final impacts are quantified in terms of freight demand (spatial pattern of transport flows), modal split and traffic flows (route choice, and congestion).Depending on the pricing scenario the tonne kilometres decrease by 0.4%–4.8% on average. The modal shift impacts are stronger on longer transport distances: this is explained both by the larger impact of a distance-based charge on these routes, and by higher substitution possibilities to barge or rail. The results indicate that the overall impacts of the introduction of the different charging alternatives are moderate. However, the network impacts at local level can be substantial due to the impact of re-routing of truck trips to avoid charge.
Highlights
In 2017, the newly installed Dutch government announced in its coalition agreement that in 2023 in would introduce a distance-based heavy goods vehicle charge (HGVC), similar to the charges levied in neighbouring countries
The key question that should be answered is what will be the impacts of the charge? This can be measured ex-post in countries where a form of heavy goods vehicle charge has been already implemented, or it can be simulated using a transport demand model
In this paper we present the analysis of different implementation scenarios for a distance-based truck charge that vary with the level of the charging fee and the road network on which the HGVC applies
Summary
In 2017, the newly installed Dutch government announced in its coalition agreement that in 2023 in would introduce a distance-based heavy goods vehicle charge (HGVC), similar to the charges levied in neighbouring countries. In the preparation of the draft bill, the ministry of transport is evaluating different policy configurations for the charging network and the tariffs. This can be measured ex-post in countries where a form of heavy goods vehicle charge has been already implemented, or it can be simulated using a transport demand model. In this paper we present the analysis of different implementation scenarios for a distance-based truck charge that vary with the level of the charging fee and the road network on which the HGVC applies. The usage of the transport de mand models allow a decomposition of the impacts on trade patterns, modal split, vehicle type use, and route choice. Final impacts are quantified in terms of freight demand (spatial pattern of transport flows), transport efficiency, modal split and traffic flows (route choice and congestion)
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