The effect of the low emission zones policy and the Rotterdam Traffic Plan on the usage of alternative modes of transport: The case study of Rotterdam, Netherlands

In 2016, Rotterdam was one of the earliest cities to ban the entry of old diesel and petrol passenger cars from its Low emission Zone. By 2020 the city allowed these vehicles back in the zone after it claimed to have reached its targeted reduction in polluting vehicles (Hope, 2019). At the same time, within the Rotterdam Traffic Plan of 2017-2030. The city planned to apply different measures (e.g., Park and Ride, incentives, and infrastructure connections,..). To keep the traffic clean and reduce its intensity while shifting the users’ attention towards alternative modes of transport (Rotterdam, G., 2015; Rotterdam, G., 2017). Hence, the main objective of the research is to measure the influence of the “Low-Emission Zone policy” and the measures proposed in the “Rotterdam traffic plan” on the usage of alternative modes of transport. By alternative modes, public transport, active mobility, and electric mobility are addressed in this research.

The overall aim of this study is to evaluate the role of transport policies in influencing the shifts towards sustainable transportation. To be able to transfer such policies and develop a well-structured lessons-learning, and evaluation framework, this thesis uses a mixed-method approach. It consists of (1) quantitative real-time travel data on transport usage, that mirrors the users’ behavior, and (2) qualitative data from in-depth interviews, report and literature that explains the governmental intention as well as justify the users’ behavior.

The results proved that the applied transport policies are not significantly affecting the shift towards alternative modes of transport. This mainly occurred because of a gap between the user’s awareness and the applied plans and political ambitions. Nevertheless, the data showed a continuous increase in the overall transport users, which is not met by the sufficient provision of sustainable alternatives. The traffic volume in Rotterdam is increasing, and the so-far applied measure from the traffic plan is helping in that increase. However, in the long run, and after the traffic plan is fully implemented (in 2030), the city aims that the traffic might start to be reduced, which is contradicting to the presented status.

To conclude, the research showed that Rotterdam is still moving very slowly towards sustainable mobility and trying to keep holding the stick from the middle, which is not the best strategy to lead such an important transition. The recommendations present a new modified framework (policy package) for cities that wants to start the LEZ to achieve a balanced transport system and prevent conflicts and political issues.