Fewer traffic jams, a time gain for everyone
Today, you waste an average of 45 minutes a day in the capital because of traffic jams. With Smartmove, we tackle this problem structurally. In everyone's interest.
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In short
- Thanks to the intelligent kilometre charge, you lose up to 30% less time in traffic jams.
- Over the entire working day, you spend up to 42% less time in traffic jams.
- On an annual basis, you gain up to 26 working days!
The situation today
Half of all vehicles come from outside Brussels
Every working day, some 370,000 cars and vans drive around Brussels. More than half of them, a good 190,000, belong to commuters from outside the capital.
A lot of time on short trips
As a car driver, you waste about 45 minutes a day due to traffic jams. Nevertheless, the average distance per trip within the Brussels region is very short: 6 km.
Public transport is delayed
The congestion also slows down buses and trams. This makes them less attractive as an alternative. A vicious circle.
A major economic loss
For businesses, too, a huge amount of time is lost in traffic jams. The loss of economic value for the Brussels region could amount to €1.7 billion per year.
How do we solve this with SmartMove?
1. The car if necessary, other transport when possible
Driving a car? Great. But lost time and air pollution take a high toll. To encourage more conscientious use of the car, we are introducing an intelligent kilometre charge.
- By putting a higher rate on driving during peak hours, everyone who can will postpone their trip to the off-peak hours.
- Those who do have to drive are the winners: smoother traffic, less time lost and less stress.
- Consciously paying per ride makes people more likely to choose other modes of transport when they can.
- Research by mobility experts and experience from other cities such as Milan, Stockholm and London show that it works.
2. An intelligent kilometre charge
What makes this kilometre charge intelligent is that it takes into account three variables: time of day, distance and engine power.
- The intelligent kilometre charge consists of a starting amount per day plus an amount per kilometre.
- By increasing the rate at the busiest times, you get a better spread of traffic.
- Whether or not to take the car becomes a conscious decision. And for short distances, alternatives become more attractive.
- Cars with bigger engines pay more. Cars with smaller engines pay less.
- Choosing environmentally friendly models becomes even more attractive. Good for air quality.
- Outside working hours and at weekends, driving remains free.
In this way, SmartMove encourages a smarter approach to mobility. Where you have all the elements in your own hands. Also literally, thanks to the app.
Up to 30% less time lost in traffic jams
Studies show that thanks to SmartMove you waste a lot less time in traffic jams. Time you can use to do something more useful or fun than sitting in the car.
In the future, there will be even more cars, partly due to population growth. Traffic will also continue to increase. With SmartMove it stays under control.
3. Priority to improved mobility
In 2021 alone, the Brussels region invested almost €1 billion in the expansion of public transport. Including:
151 new hybrid buses
10 new metro trains and increased frequency of metro trains on lines 2 and 6
Two new bus routes (routes 74 and 52)
Further:
The introduction of the Brupass XL will provide a seamless connection to the wider region around Brussels.
On the outskirts of Brussels, there are a number of park and ride facilities where car users can leave their cars.
How multimodal is Brussels today?
See how many ways you can move around the city today.
Reducing the social toll
Unbridled traffic not only means additional costs for the maintenance of road infrastructure. The social costs also weigh heavily. That is why we must all tackle this together.
- The time you waste in traffic jams can certainly be better spent. As free time or with your family, for example.
- The human toll is high. Air pollution in Brussels is responsible for 1,000 premature deaths per year and many chronic diseases.
- Traffic is responsible for 1/4 of our CO2 emissions. And it needs to be reduced urgently to meet the targets of the National Energy and Climate Plan.
- Traffic jams slow down the whole economy. Late deliveries, poor accessibility, fewer customer visits, meetings that start late: it all comes at a price.
- The business world has put combating congestion high on its agenda. For 75% of Brussels' entrepreneurs, mobility is the top policy priority.*