Public opinion poll on the possibilities of improving traffic regulation in Ljubljana, 2011

This is the first of two studies that analyze the possibility of improving traffic regulation in Ljubljana based on the public perception of congestion charging. The term congestion charging denotes different models of solving road congestion, in which the road users (especially automobile users) are required to pay financial compensation for the use of a particular segment of the road network in a given, usually urban area. The very concept of congestion charging is based on the assumption that the use of personal vehicles in circulation in specific circumstances can produce different adverse effects – externalities. Monetary compensation for the use of a specific road in this context acts as a mechanism of internalization of these costs i.e. as a form of compensation for externalities. The study not only measured the views, opinions and perceptions of respondents about the possibility of introducing compensation for car entry into specific areas of the city, but also investigated the perception of other measures to be implemented within the CIVITAS Elan project, in particular the concept of park-and-ride (P + R), use of alternative modes of transport (bus, bike) and parking facilities at the edge of a town, primarily intended for the use of commuters. In addition to questions on both topics, the questionnaire also covered other relevant socio-cultural dimensions of project measures – e.g. individual mobility (driving habits, preference on transport policy etc.) and demographics (education, age, working status etc.) of population surveyed.