This paper canvasses a range of possible road use charging mechanisms in the context of each of three criteria: economic efficiency, equity and administrative simplicity. The possible mechanisms considered include tolls, fixed registration charges, distance charges, mass charges, fuel based charges and combinations of these. The economic efficiency of each mechanism is examined by analysing road cost allocation procedures to determine how costs change with different vehicle characteristics and assessing the ability of different charging mechanisms to reflect these differences. The extent to which road use charges under each charging mechanism would result in different road users contributing different amounts users contributing different amounts towards the costs they impose on the road system is used to assess the equity of the mechanisms. Administrative simplicity is examined by considering the complexity and costs to both road users and implementing authorities. Accordingly, a number of the mechanisms considered are eliminated on the basis of their failure to adequately meet the criteria applied. Definitive conclusions on the constitution of the best mechanism, however, are not possible. A number of issues in the allocation of costs to vehicles are as yet unresolved making it difficult to assess the economic efficiency of road use charging mechanisms. Furthermore, equity based assessments must always be judgmental and as a consequence definitive conclusions on the constitution of the best charging mechanism on the basis of equity are not possible.
Samenvatting