City of Helsinki : Congestion charges are the best way to improve air quality in Helsinki

16.01.2017 06:24

Emissions to air from transport and traffic weaken air quality and cause health risks especially in Helsinki's busy street canyons. Although the popularity of congestion charges has dropped in Helsinki, according to a recent poll by Helsingin Sanomat, they would be the most effective method to improve air quality in the city.

The EU-defined annual upper limit for nitrogen oxide in air is exceeded in Helsinki's busy street canyons because of traffic. Poor air quality is the single biggest environmental health risk. Long-term exposure increases respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and deaths. Children, people suffering from asthma and elderly people with cardiovascular diseases are especially vulnerable.

'Congestion charges have been found to be the most effective way to steer mobility towards more sustainable forms of transport, that is, walking, cycling and public transport. Congestion charges would reduce hazards related to air quality, as well as noise, greenhouse gas emissions and congestion,' says Esa Nikula, Director of the City of Helsinki Environment Centre.

Nikunen refers to the recent debate on congestion charges in the media. According to the Helsingin Sanomat poll, the popularity of the charges has declined among residents. However, they are proven to be the best way to reduce traffic-related micro-particle and carbon-dioxide emissions.

Congestion charges widely applied in Europe

Congestion charges have reduced traffic volumes by 20 percent in Stockholm, and this has clearly reduced air pollution. Stockholm estimates that congestion charges prevent 25-30 premature deaths in the city annually. The majority of Stockholm residents today favour congestion charges.

Congestion charges and their impacts have been studied in several other European cities. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland states that congestion charges have helped to reduce traffic volumes by 11-30 percent in many European cities and by 27 percent in London.

Helsinki Region Transport published a report on vehicle traffic charges in the spring of 2016. According to this report, congestion charges based on charging zones would reduce traffic volumes by 5-8 percent in the region and by 10-18 percent in the inner city depending on charge amounts. Environmental hazards from traffic would be reduced and use of sustainable transport modes would grow.

Congestion charge preparation will be continued in a collaborative process between the region's municipalities and the Finnish Government on the principle of using the funds to develop the regional transport system.

Environmental benefits

Congestion charges would also help to mitigate climate change.

'According to an emissions reduction survey conducted by the City of Helsinki, transport and traffic carry the greatest potential for emissions cuts. Emissions could be reduced effectively by such financial means as congestion charges,' Nikunen points out.

Read more:

Helsinki's 30-percent emissions reduction target: a report in Finnish with an English summary.