This paper reports on the results of a study on the opportunities or limitations of a model in which management and maintenance of existing motorways is contracted out to private parties, securing their income by toll collection. The aim of the study was to investigate if such an approach is viable in actual practice and could lead to improved efficiency and cost reduction. The model was applied to two Dutch motorway sections: the A27 between Gorinchem and Everdingen, and the A79. It was concluded that this model of private road management should not be advised. Charging all costs of the managing party, mainly caused by toll collection itself, to the road users, leads to unreasonably high tolls. Other reasons for advising against the use of the model include the non-representative scale of the road sections, the undesirable shift of traffic to the secondary road network, and the lack of experience of the parties involved with similar complicated models, especially in the transitional phase. The paper concludes with some recommendations to improve the viability of the model. (A)
Abstract