The US and Dutch models have been used to predict the outcomes of the decision making processes with regard to road pricing. The road pricing plan covers the densely populated Randstad area of the four largest cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague). The plan is highly controversial. Surveys show that the Dutch population does not support the policy measure (they will have to pay for something that has always been free). The central government, however, wants road pricing to come into effect in 2001. At the moment preparations are made mainly at the regional level. The models have been used to predict the outcome of the decisions and offer insight in the level of support among the actors with regard to road pricing. The initiator of the research (AVV), the users of the method and the researchers (from two Dutch Universities) have different viewpoints on the value of the results. Most of them agreed, however, that it is a useful method that offers new insights in the policy making process.
Abstract