The problem We’ve all experienced the effects of traffic congestion on our roads, especially during peak hours in the city, which we are all aware is going to be an ever growing problem. Did you know that during peak times four out of five vehicles in Birmingham have just one person in them? In reality with a few small changes to our commuting habits we can make travelling into the city a more enjoyable and less frustrating experience. We could also reach our destination quicker by increasing the number of people travelling in each vehicle. Be part of the solution! We can increase the number of people in each vehicle quite simply by car-sharing. Birmingham City Council is actively promoting car sharing as a real alternative choice when making a journey. About Car sharing Car sharing is an informal arrangement between two or more people to travel together in one vehicle instead of each travelling in their own vehicles. There are significant benefits to be had by car sharing, you can: save money on fuel and running costs, reduce mileage and wear and tear on your vehicle, help the environment and reduce your carbon footprint, and enjoy a more sociable and less stressful way to travel.

The lane is marked out on the road... The car-share lane The car share lane runs between Spitfire Island and Ashted Circus and operates along the inside lane of the A47 heading towards Birmingham city centre, however the lane will stop at junctions where vehicles need to turn left. The car share lane came into effect in November 2007 on a trial basis. Based on what we found out so far, we are making some changes and are going to continue monitoring the scheme for another 12 months from May 2009. The car share lane applies to traffic travelling towards the city centre and operates from 7am - 10am, Monday to Friday. Signs and road markings mark out the lane; please familiarise yourself with these signs:

... and by the signs at the roadside What the lane has achieved For the first 12 months of its operation we monitored the effects of the car share lane on traffic on the route and on other nearby roads: We found that: the car share lane has successfully moved more people along this route in the same number or fewer vehicles than before; the number of vehicles has not reduced as much as we thought it might – this is because new developments have opened near the A47 since the car share lane started and so more people want to travel along the route; journey times along the route have not really changed – car sharers have slightly quicker journeys than other traffic; because more people are travelling in the same number or fewer vehicles, emissions of carbon and other pollutants per person have reduced; there has not been any change in the number of people or the number of vehicles on nearby roads such as Tyburn Road or Washwood Heath Road – this suggest that the changes we’ve seen on the A47 are due to the car share lane rather than other things that might affect all roads; most of the vehicles that use the car share lane are allowed to do so, but there are some locations where higher numbers of vehicles not carrying passengers tended to use the lane – when enforcement of the lane takes place it in future in can focus on these locations; and we did receive some negative comments about the scheme, but compared to the number of people that use the route every week the numbers of people complaining are very small. Who can use the Car Share Lane? Following the first part of the trial, one of the changes we are making is to allow different types of vehicle to use the lane to see if we can improve the way it works. The following vehicles will still be allowed to use the lane: cars, vans and light goods vehicles (under 7.5 tonnes) carrying at least one person in addition to the driver, all buses and coaches, pedal cycles, motorcycles, and emergency vehicles. From now on these vehicles are also allowed to use the car share lane: Heavy Goods Vehicles (over 7.5 tonnes).; and Hackney carriages – whether carrying passengers or not Vehicles NOT allowed to use the car share lane are: cars, vans and light goods vehicles (under 7.5 tonnes) carrying only the driver Enforcement The car share lane will be enforced by the Police and fines will be given to people driving in the lane who are not allowed to use it.

What Happens Next Over the next few months we will be changing some of the signs to include the changes we’re making to the vehicle types allowed to use the lane. We will also be working with West Midlands Police to look at locations where we need more enforcement. In the longer term we will be looking at whether the lane can be opened up to vehicles that use clean fuel technologies such as electric or hydrogen powered cars. How people can car share Even if your journey does not take you onto the A47 car-share lane you can still gain real benefits from the car share scheme. Our TravelWise team have set-up a fantastic easy to use website for potential car-sharers to make contact with other car-sharers within the same company or organisation. This website is only available to employees of companies or organisations that have signed up to the carshareBirmingham scheme, so if your company is not a member, encourage your boss to take part - www.carsharebirmingham.org.uk. (Please note that any personal details given in order to find a match will be stored securely) Alternatively, people can make their own arrangements with each other. You don’t need to be registered with the database to use the car-share lane. It is advisable to meet potential car-sharers before starting to participate. Please remember, you are under no obligation to go ahead with any car-sharing arrangements if you are not completely comfortable.

Tel: 0121 303 0089 Email: carsharelane@birmingham.gov.uk Website: www.carsharebirmingham.org.uk