Research project CP/35 (Research action CP)
Context
The European Union had put sustainable development as the central goal in all government policies. One of the critical issues for sustainable development is the congestion of traffic that continues to increase.
The goal of the common traffic policy in the European Union (EU) is to deal with the increasing congestion and pollution and also to stimulate the use of more environmentally friendly ways of transportation. Primary goal of the EU for improving the transport system and the town and country planning is to master the mobility demand in relation with road traffic. One wants to establish this by creating a shift from the road traffic to the traffic by rail, by water and by public transport, in order to achieve that the share of road traffic in 2010 will not exceed that of 1998.
Objectives
In this project we want to explore the possibilities of mastering the mobility demand by the use of tradable mobility rights (TMR). The goal is fourfold:
1. The development of an economic-legal analysis of tradable permits by creating a link to a similar system in the fight against environmental pollution, namely the emission permits.
2. Research into the technological feasibility of tradable permits by means of a thorough screening and prioritising of comparable systems.
3. To get a better insight in the long-term socio-economic effects by drawing up a system dynamic model.
4. Research of the legitimacy of the system, particularly the political and social basis.
Methodology
The first section of the research is an analysis of available literature concerning emission rights. The goal is to learn from both practice and theory how a system of tradable rights operates in concrete. This will be pursued by the Limburg University Centre (LUC). Iris Consulting (subcontractor of the LUC) will explore comparable systems, by means of a literature study, complementary with a research in best practises and interviews with privileged experts.
The Free University of Brussels (VUB) will create a system dynamic model that makes it possible to study the effects of a tradable mobility rights system in the long run. The goal of this model is to help decision-makers to envision a mental image of the system, to construct it and to integrate it in a cause-consequence diagram. One can simulate different management scenarios on the basis of the model developed.
The first step in this model is the creation of a mental image of the demand for mobility in Belgium. In the first place, this analysis consists of a problem definition constraining the investigated system. Then, the conceptualisation of the system will start: this is the mental picture of the system.
In the second step, there will be values attached to the different variables. The goal of the modelling is to investigate how the system will evolve in time.
Once the causal diagram is made and the relation between the variables is quantified, the researchers will start in a third step the simulation of the behaviour of the system in time by means of software programmes. Also the consequences of different management options will be investigated.
The last step is an evaluation of different management options by discussing the possible undesired and unwarranted effects of the introduction of tradable mobility permits.
Langzaam Verkeer will conduct the research on legitimacy, political and social support. They will carry out a management oriented Delphi-research for the study of the political basis. This is a systematic investigation that is used to show conflicting opinions, to analyse pro’s and con’s and to show the differences between different groups of respondents.
Focus groups will be organised to investigate the existence of a social basis for mobility rights and the possible creation of it. An individual written inquiry of the participants will anticipate these focus groups. This inquiry enables the researcher to make a better selection of the focus groups and to present some findings of the inquiry in the group discussions.
Partners
In this project, LUC and Iris consulting work closely together in the feasibility analysis and the development of the different alternatives (year 1). These alternatives will be used by VUB and Langzaam Verkeer for their research (year 1+2). In the third year, the three subprojects (feasibility, effectiveness and legitimacy) will be summarised in one consistent and integrated report. On the basis of this report, the management conclusions will be drawn. This integrated and concluding final reporting will be written by the LUC.
Expected results
This project will result in:
- a consistent theory of tradable mobility rights;
- a classification and evaluation of concrete, alternative TMR-systems;
- an analysis of the effectiveness of TMR for the mobility;
- concrete implementation scenarios;
- public information, debate and an increase of the public support for TMR.
Partners
Activities
The group policy management of the LUC does policy-supporting research concerning environmental policy, town and country planning, employment market policy and judicial organisation. Studies are done for the federal government, regional governments and public institutions.
The research unit ‘statistics and operational research’ of the VUB studies the Adaptive Control Methodology in which system dynamics, MCDA and Control Theory are combined. They apply this theory on different socio-economic problems. During more than 15 years this unit developed expertise concerning policy-making and more specifically in Multicriteria Analysis.
Langzaam Verkeer researches and accompanies new traffic programmes and -projects by means of a coherent societal approach. The multidisciplinary staff is divided in 3 units: research & policy-making preparation, planning & design and training & communication.
Contact Information
Promoter
Lode Vereeck
Limburgs Universitair Centrum (LUC)
Universitaire Campus - Gebouw D, B-3590 Diepenbeek
Tel: +32 (0)11 26 87 32; Fax: +32 (0)11 26 87 60
lode.vereeck@luc.ac.be
http://www.luc.ac.be
Partners
Joel P. Brans and Cathy Macharis
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
Unit ‘statistics and operational research’
Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0)2 629 22 86; Fax: +32 (0)2 629 20 60
jpbrans@vub.ac.be
http://www.vub.ac.be
Jos Zuallaert
Managing Director
Langzaam Verkeer vzw
J.P. Minckerlerstraat 43 A, B-3000 Leuven
Tel: +32 (0)16 23 94 65; Fax: +32 (0)16 29 02 10
LV@langzaamverkeer.be
http://www.langzaamverkeer.be
Users Committee
P. Kunch - ONDRAF/NIRAS
J. Vinois - European Commission
R. Delathouwer - Cabinet of the Secretary of State for mobility, public office of the government of Brussels
P. Hofman - Flemish Community AFW (department of roads and traffic)
K. Lambrechts - Provincie Vlaams-Brabant
Verhandelbare mobiliteitsrechten: haalbaarheid, socio-economische effectiviteit en maatschappelijk draagvlak : eindrapport
Vereeck, L. - Crals, E. - Macharis, C. ... et al Brussel : Federaal Wetenschapsbeleid, 2007 (SP1733)
[To download]
[To order]
