International and technological developments in electronic congestion pricing and electronic pricing for individual heavy vehicle road use is generating considerable interest in future prospects for road pricing in Australia. Currently road pricing in Australia is based around largely inflexible road pricing systems that do not vary with individual vehicle use. There is growing interest in looking at more flexible road pricing arrangements, particularly in urban areas prone to congestion. For heavy vehicles there may be prospects for at least incremental pricing over the medium term based around allowing vehicle operators the choice of paying an additional fee to allow additional access or mass than is currently allowed. The purpose of this report is to survey some of the key international developments in road pricing; discuss the applicability of these systems to the Australian situation; highlight drivers for change in Australia; and reflect on what might be achievable over the medium to longer term in introducing more direct or flexible road pricing systems in Australia. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E211825.
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