Text file: 8823.txt
author: ahac36 nuncij
downvotes: 8
end consideration date: 2017-12-25
id: '8823'
number comments: 10
number views: 1997
proposal type: Competent authority response
response: 'Response from the Ministry of Infrastructure

  The first proposal relates to the area of parking charges at rest areas. In this
  respect, we note that the Ministry of Infrastructure is responsible in particular
  for ensuring that there are sufficient parking spaces for freight vehicles. With
  regard to secure car parks, the activities are only aimed at supporting the siting
  and examining the possibility of linking them directly to the motorway network.
  The Motorways Company of the Republic of Slovenia (DARS d.d.) is preparing a project
  assignment for the preparation of a study to show how many secure car parks are
  needed in Slovenia and where these car parks are needed. The results of the study
  are expected to be known in the first half of 2020. On the basis of this study,
  decisions will be taken on further policy in the area of AC/HC rest areas. For the
  above reasons, it is not possible to adopt the proposal on charging parking fees
  at rest areas, as this is a matter of policy for DARS d.d..

  As regards the remaining proposals (limits on the total number of goods vehicles
  on individual sections, prohibition of goods vehicles at night and speed limits
  on AC/HC), the following clarification is provided.

  Transit traffic of freight vehicles cannot be restricted on the basis of EU road
  transport legislation. These rules imply that carriers established in the EU can
  carry out road transport operations within the EU with a Community licence. However,
  on the basis of bilateral agreements concluded with other countries (the permit
  system), the Republic of Slovenia may restrict traffic carried out by carriers whose
  registered office is not in one of the EU Member States. For carriers from these
  countries, traffic is not directly liberalised, but limited quotas of permits are
  agreed with certain countries. In this way, transit traffic of goods vehicles through
  the Republic of Slovenia may be partially restricted.

  We note below that motorways were built precisely to accommodate traffic (mainly
  freight). Restrictions may be possible from an environmental point of view, as is
  the case of the Ljubljana North Bypass in Ljubljana, where since 2017 freight traffic
  has been banned at night between 10 pm and 6 am, while trucks are allowed to drive
  there during the day. Under the current regime, all heavy goods vehicles are already
  subject to overtaking bans on some sections. Thus, on certain sections, an overtaking
  ban is imposed on all lorries over 7.5 t, as prescribed by a traffic sign, and applies
  during the morning and afternoon peak hours (6.00-9.00 and 14.00-17.00).

  Congestion on the busiest parts of the national road network is a consequence of
  the steady increase in traffic congestion observed in recent years. The temporary
  decline in traffic as a result of the economic crisis has only partially reduced
  congestion. Since 2015, we have witnessed an intensive increase in traffic congestion.
  On average, between 12,000 and 15,000 heavy goods vehicles (up to 18,000 at peak
  times) use the motorways daily on the most exposed sections. The growth in freight
  traffic over the last three years has averaged 4-5% per year and is not decreasing.
  The overall traffic congestion on individual motorway sections is the result of
  both international traffic flows and traffic between major centres in Slovenia.
  In the context of domestic traffic, a large share of traffic congestion is due to
  the daily migration of residents commuting to Ljubljana for work.

  The situation on the motorways is constantly monitored by DARS d.d., as the operator
  of the motorway network, and reported to drivers in real time via the Traffic Information
  Centre and the DARS PROMET+ application. It recommends drivers to adjust their journeys
  and avoid rush hours. DARS d.d. is also installing additional variable message signs
  to reduce speeds on some of the busiest sections. We note that congestion is caused
  by vehicles not adjusting their speed and safety distance to the road conditions.
  However, a general speed limit for goods vehicles on motorways does not make sense
  as it would slow down traffic flow even more. A general ban on HGVs driving at night
  would lead to even more freight traffic during the day, when motorways are already
  significantly congested, especially at certain points and during peak hours.

  It follows from the above that the proposal cannot be implemented as proposed and
  we therefore do not support it.'
response date: 2019-12-16
response due date: null
sent date: 2017-12-04
title: Restriction of freight traffic on AC and HC
upvotes: 21
url: https://predlagam.vladi.si/predlog/8823
