TracNav

A list of articles and news links related to road user charging (congestion pricing) around the world. (Part of our list of Intelligent Transportation & Sentient Vehicles: Related Links.)

  •  ERTICO ERTICO – ITS Europe is a multi-sector, public/private partnership pursuing the development and deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems and Services (ITS). We exist to promote a single successful pan-European ITS market and to ensure that European interests are fully represented throughout the world.
  •  Think tank recommends value pricing on new freeway A new study finds that Southeastern Wisconsin's planned $6.2 billion freeway modernization would provide only a temporary fix for the region's growing traffic congestion. But a network of variable-priced toll lanes, if included in the plan, would permanently offer buses and emergency vehicles free access to lanes that are guaranteed to move at the maximum speed limit, and tolled access to the same uncongested lanes for automobile drivers who are willing to pay a fee.
  •  Cabinet asks for review of new toll collection system A news article describes the teething problems experienced with Taiwan's new electronic toll collection system. Complainants indicated it was unreasonable for motorists to have to pay for the installation of the on-board units (OBUs) and that the units, which are placed in the middle of the windshield, will disturb the driver's view and create safety problems.
  •  2005 Guardian Article on RUC Charges The highest fee, of about £1.30 a mile, would only affect 0.5 per cent of motorists, those driving during the rush hour on very congested routes, the study said. The likely cost of an 8am journey from the outskirts of London to the city centre would be about £10.
  •  RUC Trial in Denver Oregon has started a program to charge select motorists in the Portland area a fee of 1.2 cents for each mile they travel within the state instead of the 24-cents- a-gallon state tax on gasoline.
  •  Voluntary Road Pricing? Drivers who chose to install satellite-tracking equipment to measure how far they travel, and where and when, could be offered discounts on other motoring taxes. A likely method of payment, modelled on trials under way in the US, is that drivers would pay their tolls at the petrol pump in return for discounts on fuel duty. Volunteers would also benefit from other uses of the 'black box', such as navigation, help with finding parking spaces, and pay-as-you go insurance
  •  Czech main roads tolling to be 80% satellite-based The Czech toll system will use 80 percent of satellite technology for the second stage and 20 percent microwave, representatives of the Transport Ministry and Austria's Kapsch company agreed. As a result, some 100 new toll bridges will be built.
  •  UK to Use Zonal Charging Not According to Congestion Ministers believe that a zonal system would protect drivers’ privacy and deter them from rat-running in residential areas to avoid high charges on main roads. All roads in each zone would be charged at the same rate, regardless of how congested they were. Also proposing the introduction of a vignette for foreign lorries.
  •  Manchester Proposing 3bn Pound Congestion Chaging Scheme RFID tags will be read by gantries. Claims to be distance-based, but will initially only have 2 gantries. Charging will be for those going with the traffic flow at rush hour (i.e. no charge for those leaving the city in the mornings). The council will investigate the possibility of GPS-based charging.
  •  Plate-Thefts Spike in London Congestion charging has resulted in a greater number of number plate thefts. Businesses selling higher security solutions.
  •  Congestion Charging in Wales Only on New Build Ministers rule out introducing congestion charging on existing road network. Concern over rural areas rather than cities. Cities may independently decide to introduce their own congestion charging.