When TFL approved the use of Taxi-Top Digital Billboards on Licensed London Black Taxis what research was carried out (and what were the findings) into the environmental Impact of doing so. Clearly adding a large object on top of a vehicle will increase the vehicle's weight and it's drag coefficient. This would naturally lead to the vehicle burning more fuel and therefore omitting more pollutants into the air of London. This must be of concern to TFL and all Londoners.

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TfL Ref: FOI-2299-1718 

Thank you for your email received on 15 November 2017 asking for information about taxi top advertising.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our Information Access Policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked:

When TFL approved the use of Taxi-Top Digital Billboards on Licensed London Black Taxis what research was carried out (and what were the findings) into the environmental Impact of doing so.

Clearly adding a large object on top of a vehicle will increase the vehicle's weight and it's drag coefficient.

This would naturally lead to the vehicle burning more fuel and therefore omitting more pollutants into the air of London. 

This must be of concern to TFL and all Londoners.

As part of the proposals to install taxi top advertising on taxis, each taxi top developer had to engage with the vehicle manufacturer, The London Taxi Company, to explore any potential issues regarding the installation of the roof top technology, including whether there would be any adverse environmental issues, such as increased exhaust emissions.

The findings estimated that there would be an average increase in fuel consumption and emissions of between 10 and 20 per cent following the installation of the digital advertising screen.

In order to properly assess the impact of these displays we imposed a limit of up to 1,000 taxis that would be permitted to carry this type of advertising.  Only one of the three companies approved to install and operate taxi top advertising is still operational – consequently there are currently 475 taxi vehicles approved to carry taxi top advertising.

The Mayor's Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan sets out how we intend to establish the Capital's taxi fleet as the greenest in the world. From 1 January 2018 we will be introducing new licensing requirements to reduce emissions from the taxi fleet by phasing out diesel taxis and increasing the number of Zero Emission Capable vehicles in London. Further information can be found by visiting our website www.tfl.gov.uk/green-taxis.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Sara Thomas

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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