Green Activity Zones

Access control and charging systems currently in use for green zones, or low emission zones, are typically based on relatively simple technical requirements or pricing structures that are easy to understand and enforce. Since these systems are relatively simple, they are static in nature and give very little incitement to more efficient performance and more environmental friendly and economical driving. This project puts forward an idea on how commercial traffic can be offered some possibilities and incit ement to reduce their transport costs (given the fact that a green zone is already in place). By the intelligent employment of existing technological building blocks, a system will be designed that will help the planning and accomplishment of more energy efficient and environmental friendly freight transport in green zones. The basic idea is that charging for driving within a green zone is to be based on the real activity of the vehicle inside the zone. The amount to be charged is computed as a function of continuous measurements of emissions from the vehicle. Such an application will make it possible to design a charging system that is more just, and at the same time give incitement to reduce the external costs of freight transport. Additionally, users of the GAZ application will be able to document their environmental profile in competition with other transporters. The project concept is built on a vehicle unit capable of continuous monitoring of input parameters and computation of emissions. The adv antage of letting the vehicle unit do the computations is that the driver then can be given an immediate feedback on his driving behaviour. A swift response by the monitoring system to a costly and environmentally detrimental driving style is important in order to influence driving behaviour in a positive way.