Tom Adams, TfL City Planning: traffic trends in the recovery.

80% pre-pandemic numbers in peak and people still working from home. ‘This year traffic levels are a little lower. Numbers are around 80-85% of pre-pandemic, numbers have eased from summer. I have looked at numbers over time of day and they all come in lower than pre-pandemic. There still remains work at home. A stable increase relates to peak. Workplace mobility data, central in particular, City of London vehicle numbers have picked up whilst pre-pandemic it has already trailed behind historically. For internet sales we only have national numbers.’

Christina Calderato, Head of Transport Strategy and Planning: ‘Update on ULEZ expansion implementation.

3.8 million people living in the extended zone. 24/7 operation. £12.50 charge for non-compliance. Early indication show 87% of vehicles compliant just prior to expansion. London drivers ditching their diesel cars six times faster than rest of UK. 61 million pounds scrappage has taken 12,900 older vehicles off the road. A million letters went out to non-compliant vehicle owners to keep everyone aware of the expansion. 92% of roads in London are expected to comply with legal limit for NOx this year.’ ‘Ten weeks of consultation has just closed. On Congestion charge. Proposals will come in to effect in two phases, Feb next year and charge changes sooner.’ One observation, non-compliant vehicles may be parked up and used less.

Polyvios Polyviou, Strategy and Planning Manager: update on TfL’s freight and logistics delivery plan.

‘The vision is for a clean and efficient freight plan. Reducing HGVs by ten percent. The four frames, Safety – Air Quality – Land management. Safety, the Mayor's Vision Zero aims to eliminate all deaths and injuries. Air Quality, Euro Six and last mile hubs, working on micro-consolidation. Land Use includes construction management including water and rail. Freight efficiency looks improved but may be related to pandemic? We are looking at supporting sustainability in final mile, lockers, cycles, powered two-wheelers. We are engaging with boroughs. Observation, ‘There is less room at the road side. Cycle lanes have impacted on kerbside space and may have increased delivery times by 50%’

Jerry Ward added, ‘Another topic to be added to the plan is a dispensation or reward for the use of cleaner quieter vehicles (not just euro 6) alternative fuel and technology this could be more out of hours delivery options and better access to London locations.’

Richard Silvester, Business Operational Strategy Manager. TfL’s draft real-time operational freight strategy.

6,400 sets of traffic signals. Working with DHL on freight vehicle times through signalling strategy. Richard commented, ‘Supporting efficient freight. Freight needs to be inside existing strategy but not conflict with pedestrians and bus movements, it’s a balancing act. The four Ps, Protection, Passengers (Bus), Pedal Cycles, Pedestrian interacting with freight. The 'when' - We have identified best times to support freight outside of the four Ps. passengers bus build up in the morning, Pedal cycles peak morning and evening. The 'where' – height restrictions and suitability where there is minimum impact. We have looked at High opportunity areas where signals can intervene to support freight movements. We have looked at best balance for when and where. The 'how', June this year we presented pilots of traffic signal timings with DHL on the TRN to alleviate delays to freight vehicles. We wish to bring real time data to compare journey times.’

Roisin Naughton, Principal City Planner: TfL’s Electric Vehicle infrastructure strategy.

We are at the cusp of accelerated uptake of EVs.’ ‘Aiming to publish second week of December. Stocktake includes EV infrastructure, charging devices detailed by borough, there is an east west split of availability but we want to see equitable and balanced charging opportunity. EV uptake trends, 2020 a record year for first time registrations of EVs. The 2021 data looks similar, we are at the cusp of accelerated uptake of EVs. A third of taxis are EV today. The vision sets has lenses on infrastructure, essential trips, high mileage user switch. Commercial viability has been added to look at private sector role. Plan forecast to 2025 is being re-forecasted with end of fossil fuel vehicle timeline coming forward. We could need up to 60k charge points by 2030. We believe 70% could be delivered by the private sector. Access to land is the biggest barrier to infrastructure to be delivered by 2030. We are gathering a picture on vehicles coming into London that need rapid charge to return home.

Next key date is Dec 14th for TfL freight forum.