A close up on cameras

Drivers in the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in London face a daily charge for being behind the wheel of the most polluting diesel-engine vehicles that do not meet LEZ emission standards. So far so good, but how easy is this to implement and enforce?

Sticker
In Amsterdam a similar scheme has already fallen by the wayside following strong criticism and technical issues. Meanwhile, in similar zones in Italy, Sweden and Germany, your vehicle needs to proudly wear a sticker before it can enter the zone.

Different approach
“In the majority of cases identifying the most individually-polluting vehicles is as easy as one, two, three,” says Derrick Morris, stakeholder partnerships manager at Transport for London (TfL).

TfL takes a different approach, though. With the help of 'automatic number plate reading cameras' TfL can ascertain whether a vehicle meets the Euro emission standard simply from the date of its first registration.

Heavy goods vehicles first registered before 1 October 2001 are assumed to be Euro III compliant, while those first registered before 1 Oct 2006 are assumed to be Euro IV compliant.

Derrick says TfL is able to identify vehicles older than these specified dates, which have particulate abatement equipment fitted to meet the required standards, through access to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data or the register of vehicles that have obtained a Reduced Pollution Certificate or Low Emission Certificate from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).

“The use of data from a wide range of sources is vital to LEZ’s success. TfL uses data provided by the DVLA, VOSA and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to help create a cleaner London,” says Derrick.

Brick wall
In Amsterdam, things are not so simple. Plans to prohibit cars produced before 1992 from the city centre were originally shelved in favour of adopting an LEZ, after fierce opposition from the Dutch Ministry of Transport.

However, subsequent plans to prevent the most polluting delivery vans from the centre of Amsterdam hit a brick wall when access to the national vehicle registry was blocked.

“If you cannot access national data and determine a vehicle’s production year, then life is more difficult,” says Derrick.

Little likelihood
Derrick says everything about the London LEZ is not plain sailing though.

A third phase of the zone was due to be brought in next year in October 2010 affecting vans, minibuses and smaller commercial vehicles. But Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, announced in February that implementation of the third phase was to be suspended.

The first two phases of the scheme – which affect lorries, buses and coaches – will continue as normal, but the third is subject to public consultation and will need to be confirmed by the Mayor after he has reviewed the outcome of the consultation. Reports suggest there is little likelihood of the plans going ahead at this stage.

Beware
Derrick also ends with a word of warning for overseas drivers entering the LEZ.

“The cameras can catch everyone, no matter their nationality,” he says. So if you visited London this summer, beware of Interpol knocking on your door for unpaid fines and charges.