Amsterdam
Capital of the Netherlands
Overall Grade: C- 71%
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Reduction Success Local Emissions -
Low Emission Zones & Bans of High Emitters -
Public Procurement Clean Cars -
Non-Road Mobile Emission Sources -
Use of Economic Incentives -
Traffic & Mobility Management Incl. Modal Split -
Modal Shift to Public Transport -
Modal Shift to Walking & Cycling -
Transparency & Communication Policy
Measures
Reduction Success Local Emissions
From 2005 to 2009, the exceedance days at the traffic station Bernhardplein increased from 11 to 14. But at the same time the background station Florapark reported 19 exceedance days in 2005 and only 16 in 2009. No excess of PM10 and NO2. Trend shows an increasing share of local traffic emissions. Data of European Environmental Agency, EEA, are not consistent.
Low Emission Zones & Bans of High Emitters
Low emission zone (LEZ) for commercial and heavy goods vehicles was defined in 2008. It covers the whole inner city as well as the harbour area. Since 2010, only Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) with Euro 4 or Euro 5 standard as well as retrofitted Euro 3 not over 8 years old are allowed in the zone. Vehicles are automatically scanned and thus enforcement is close to 100%. Nevertheless, there are many exemptions for HGVs. The city subsidises filter retrofitting of Euro 3 vehicles. From 2013 onwards – which is unfortunately rather late - only Euro 4 vehicles will be allowed.
- Milieuzone en goederenvervoer: Milieuzone vrachtauto’s (nl.)
- http://www.amsterdam.nl/parkeren-verkeer/milieuzone/milieuzone/
Public Procurement Clean Cars
In 2015 the vehicle fleet of the municipality plans to be 'clean'; in August 2010, 64% of gasoline personal vehicles were A or B emission class vehicles and 90% were class A, B or C. The city car fleet is being continually improved by retrofitting, i.e. by the use of soot filters and purchase of low- or no-emission vehicles (vision for electric vehicles). Upgrading the municipal vehicle fleet both in city and districts is expected to reduce the annual mean of PM10 by 0.5 µg/m3 and NO2 by 1 µg/m3. The municipal fleet has been retrofitted by 40% in 2008, 60% in 2009, and 70% in 2010 and is expected to be clean in 2015, reaching at least Euro 5 or electric propulsion. The bus fleet will be equipped with new vehicles, using the best available techniques and the retrofitting programme to Euro 5 standard.
Non-Road Mobile Emission Sources
Prescription of low-sulphur diesel–fuel in construction works and substitution of generators with high voltage electricity hubs are currently under consideration. The same goes for retrofitting of NRMM, as well as measures to foster procurement of cleaner Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM). Measures are expected to start in 2010 or 2011 but nothing has been decided yet. Regarding boats, tests of hydrogen-propulsion-ships are being run. From 2015 onwards a norm for new boats will be implemented.
Use of Economic Incentives
A municipal scrapping bonus for switching from old and dirty to new cars is now effective. Public transport tickets are offered to inhabitants who change from car to no-car lifestyle. Subsidies are offered for retrofitting old boats and new engines. Parking fees are reduced for cleaner cars. Car sharing as well as electric cars are incentivised. Free charging points for electric car users are promoted and incentivised.
Traffic & Mobility Management Incl. Modal Split
Several cross-cutting programmes such as Programme VGS, P&R strategy and business dialogue for 10% reduction are aiming at reducing and redirecting personal motorized transport. Initiatives are launched to make taxis cleaner or switch to electric propulsion. Measures are also taken to reduce speed in traffic hotspots. An electric car-sharing programme is planned to remove 5% of traffic volume in the city.
Modal split: Very high bike usage: 38%, within city centre: 57%. Incomplete Modal Split Data because our research from public documents did not lead to it.
Modal Shift to Public Transport
The Public Transport system relies mostly on buses, trams, ferries and a metro
network with a total length of 42.5 kilometres, 5.5 of which are underground.
To discourage car use in the city, Park and Ride
has been promoted as well
as public transport lines focussing on commuters. In the past five years the
city has extended its offers for commuting, like the Businessparkbus and
Schinkelbus. Launched in 2003, the new North-South metro line project is
expected to be completed in 2017. The system is part of the national ticket
tariff system and relies on the OV-kaart. Interestingly, economic incentives award citizens giving up their parking
permit or their cars too by offering public transport passes.
Modal Shift to Walking & Cycling
Bike’s modal share is 38%, within the centre even 57%. Further bike promotion by investment into better infrastructure - especially bike highways - and public awareness with the help of a bike coordinator are under way.
Transparency & Communication Policy
The city has a well organised website and a good overview of emission data. Also, they have a download portal with updated documents, including a news section. Political initiatives are well documented. Direct contact data is also made available on the website. The city furthermore undertakes different communication measures including exhibitions, campaigns, etc. We also did not find information on public participation during our internet research.
Response to Questionnaire
The City did not reply to the questionnaire, but informed us that it was due to the time frame for answering being to short.