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Global perspective on the acceptability of road pricing

As part of its activities, the UK RAC Foundation (Royal Automobile Association) has published a research report, 'The Acceptability of Road Pricing' by Dr John Walker, which shows that paying for roads as you use them is common across the globe and that a significant number of schemes in operation have met a broad range of objectives without being prohibitively expensive. They have also been largely technically successful and once in place tend to gain public acceptance and support.
May 16, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
RSSAs part of its activities, the UK 4961 RAC Foundation (Royal Automobile Association) has published a research report, ‘The Acceptability of Road Pricing’ by Dr John Walker, which shows that paying for roads as you use them is common across the globe and that a significant number of schemes in operation have met a broad range of objectives without being prohibitively expensive. They have also been largely technically successful and once in place tend to gain public acceptance and support.

As the Foundation points out, it is accepted in professional and academic circles that a different approach will be needed in the future to manage worsening congestion and the reduction in fuel duty revenues that will come from the adoption of greener and more fuel efficient vehicles. It is for this reason that the report was commissioned as a contribution towards keeping the debate alive, for the benefit of any Government that might turn to this solution in the future.

The 152 page report is available at this link.

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