NL
What we do
The municipality of Delft is preparing to introduce a zero-emission zone in the city centre by 2025, where commercial vehicles with combustion engines, passenger transport and logistics, will no longer be allowed access (to that city centre). In particular, the aim is to make the city emission-free and, not unimportantly, also more car-free and liveable.
As a so-called ‘friendly co-pilot’, we are helping the municipality draft the traffic decree (RVV policy) for the zero-emission zone. We do this by picking up knowledge and expertise from other parts of the country, helping draft the document and consulting with all internal stakeholders. We look at what the policy looks like now, who can make the decisions and how it ties in with already existing policies.
How we do it
For Delft, it is an interesting puzzle to put together; precisely because of the various overlapping zones. You have the environmental zone, but also a logistics zone and, at the same time, within Delft there is also a plan for a car-free city centre. These are largely already implemented. How do they relate to each other and how does that translate into the traffic decree? We are also looking at what that in turn means for the signage, whether changes need to be made to it. The important thing here remains to make it clear and transparent for vehicle drivers. Where they can still turn around and where they cannot.
Yet another aspect is to map out how Delft’s exemption regime compares with the rest of the Netherlands. It is nice for trucks coming to load and unload, for instance, if there is an unambiguous policy. The exemption policy is also closely related to the traffic decree. The exemption policy is determined separately by the municipal executive, but is linked to the traffic decree.
Ultimately, of course, enforcement is also important. How and where will enforcement take place. Where do we place new cameras especially for the zero-emission zone and where can we use the existing cameras in the city centre.
Communication also plays a vital role. People should not face unwelcome surprises in terms of parking, travel and delivery. We see ourselves as the ‘friendly co-pilot’. We ride along as a co-pilot, so to speak, with the municipality, steering where necessary and using our extensive internal expertise to supplement findings throughout the country. We try to ‘unburden’ throughout the process.
The result
We are currently awaiting the decision in principle. The Municipal Executive must adopt the draft traffic decision. Usually, traffic decisions are prepared by the municipality’s executive organisation and adopted on the basis of a so-called ‘mandate’ by the college. Now the college will adopt the decision to mark this important step in the implementation of the Delft Mobility Plan.
Once the decision in principle has been taken, all interested parties will have 6 weeks to view the decision and submit their views on it. We will also be involved and help respond to substantive responses to those views.
The introduction is scheduled for 1 January 2025 and hopefully we can continue to help make it happen.
