Congestion charges: The urban tolls reducing traffic in city centres

The London congestion charge zone is marked with a 'C' on the ground. Photo: AFP

Tolls for vehicles entering city centres have been around since 2003 and, in a US first, New York City is now expected to implement its own congestion zone. This type of urban toll aims to reduce traffic jams and the number of vehicles in cities, while encouraging users to take public transport. Here's a look at how it works.

A congestion charge is effectively a toll to enter a city centre in a vehicle. This kind of urban toll essentially equates to introducing a tax on road use where traffic congestion reaches high levels. It encourages motorists to park on the outskirts of a city and use public transport to get to the centre.