ITS (UK): Shift to emissions free vehicles will make road network funding unsustainable

Shortfalls in fuel tax caused by moving to emissions-free vehicles will make current ways of funding road networks unsustainable, according to a joint forum between ITS (UK) Road User Charging Interest Group and ITS Ireland hosted by Aecom, Dublin. The group consisted of policy makers, toll operators, payment providers and highway users from seven European countries.
November 30, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Shortfalls in fuel tax caused by moving to emissions-free vehicles will make current ways of funding road networks unsustainable, according to a joint forum between ITS (UK) Road User Charging Interest Group and 7075 ITS Ireland hosted by 3525 Aecom, Dublin. The group consisted of policy makers, toll operators, payment providers and highway users from seven European countries.


The forum discussed how declining revenues must be bridged by fair and equitable measures to fund increased demands for mobility and that different taxation models are required for the public to buy into needed change. In addition, plans need to be simply expressed and clearly communicated while tackling the complexities of gaps in infrastructure funding, toxic emissions and climate change.

Speakers pointed to a recent study by the UK National Infrastructure Commission which claimed that distance based charging and congestion measures would bring more reliable journeys and improve national productivity.

Public-private co-operation was also addressed by the group who highlighted a need to share information so that disruptive market developments can be integrated alongside legacy schemes to deliver timely mobility improvements while countering the risk of unintended negative consequences.

Keith Mortimer, chair of the Road User Charging Group said, “Environmental objectives make emissions-free driving essential, but the demand for mobility will only increase. The transition to road pricing is under way, offering positive outcomes that respect the legitimate aspirations of all stakeholders. Effective governance will capitalise on innovation to enhance economic performance and social well-being.”

Jennie Martin, ITS (UK) secretary general, added: “Working together, our specialists have identified key challenges facing transport and offered solutions and advice to help policy makers justify the necessary changes. Once again our collective expertise has helped tackle a difficult issue giving leadership to the industry.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • UK Government funding for plug-in vehicle infrastructure
    February 27, 2015
    A wave of charge-points to support the fast-growing popularity of plug-in vehicles will be installed across the UK after the government set out US$49 million of infrastructure support up to 2020. Homes, hospitals, train stations and A-roads will be some of the locations for further charge-points to maintain Britain’s position as a global leader in this cutting-edge technology. The support compliments the fast-growing popularity of ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs) with grant claims rising four-fold in 20
    Read More
  • Motown morphs into Mobility City
    August 7, 2018
    Detroit was once a byword for urban decay – but ITS America recently held its annual meeting there. This gave David Arminas a chance to assess how fast Motor City is moving down the road to recovery. Motor City, as Detroit is still called, was on its financial knees only five short years ago. The future looked bleak as the city and greater urban area bled jobs and population. It was on 18 July 2013 that Motown, as Detroit is also known, filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection, the
    Read More
  • Cubic executive joins Tourism and Transport forum Australia board
    March 1, 2018
    Cubic Transportation Systems’ (CTS') senior vice president and managing director Tom Walker has been appointed to the advisory board of the Tourism and Transport Forum Australia (TTF). The industry group is a national member-funded CEO collective that advocates the public policy interests of corporations and institutions in transport, tourism and aviation. Matt Cole, president of CTS, said: “We are delighted that one of our most senior executives with such strong industry credentials has been invited to
    Read More
  • The Asia-Pacific poses a multitude of ITS challenges
    May 30, 2014
    The Asia-Pacific ITS Forum and Exhibition in Auckland, New Zealand, provided a focus for the region’s ITS Associations. Mary Bell reports. In late April, ITS New Zealand hosted the 13th Asia-Pacific ITS Forum and Exhibition in Auckland. Around 350 delegates from 24 nations gathered to share and advance ITS applications on both strategic and technical levels and to discuss the differing and various challenges faced in the region.
    Read More

Highlighted Content