This chapter considers the factors affecting the growth of road freight transport, and examines some possible ways of alleviating the effects of this growth. Most economic and market trends encourage the rapid rise of freight transport, so the demand for it is still rising rapidly. The concentration on frequent small loads of high-value goods tends to favour road freight, while rail and water freight tend to specialise much more in low-value bulk commodities not needing such a high quality of service. The impact of road improvements and other transport projects on the freight industry should be considered carefully, but road planning should not automatically follow what the industry would like, regardless of other costs. Historically, governments have intervened in the freight market for many reasons. Their main policy instruments have been regulatory and control mechanisms, taxes and subsidies, and traffic management measures. They include: (1) regulations for the construction and use of vehicles; (2) drivers' hours regulations; (3) quality and/or quantity control on lorries; (4) goods vehicle taxes; (5) rail freight subsidies; (6) tariff controls; and (7) policies on where and when heavy goods vehicles may be used. The potential for increased use of rail and water freight is discussed. For the covering abstract, see IRRD 892228.
Abstract