Feasibility study of road pricing in the UK: a report to the Secretary of State for Transport

This study considers the feasibility of options for a new system of charging for road use in the UK, in order to make better use of road capacity and to help reduce traffic congestion. This would mean moving away from the current motoring taxation system and introducing a variable charging system depending on the level of road congestion. Issues discussed include: public attitudes, travel trends, options for national road pricing, institutional aspects of implementation, possible interim options to a national scheme, including the UK lorry road user charging scheme and local congestion charging pathfinder schemes. Amongst the report's conclusions, it finds that national road pricing is becoming feasible in the medium-term (in 10 to 15 years) and could meet the Government's objectives. However, its successful implementation requires the promotion of a greater degree of public acceptance. Although a national scheme is still some years off, a number of practical steps can be taken now in preparation, including promoting a public debate to inform and raise awareness, with research into road users' behaviour and implications for business; working with car manufacturers in the development of vehicle technology standards; and working with local authorities on introducing local charging schemes to tackle congestion problems. This document is published alongside the Transport White Paper "The future of transport: a network for 2030" (Cm. 6234, ISBN 0101623429).

Table of Contents:
Foreword 1; Summary 4; Chapter 1: Introduction 9; Background to the study 9; The study 9; The report 10; Chapter 2: The Importance of Public Opinion 12; What we know 12; Overview of attitudes 13; Conclusion 17; Chapter 3: Travel Today and Tomorrow 18; The challenge - reconciling benefits and costs 18; Congestion is predicted to rise faster than traffic growth 19; The costs of congestion 20; Congestion reflects how we live and travel 21; Tackling congestion needs detailed local knowledge 22; Current interventions can contribute 23; Better land-use planning should help 24; These measures are not sufficient on their own 25; Conclusions 26; Chapter 4: How Would National Road Pricing Work? 27; Technological options 27; Reliable and accurate positioning technology 30; Benefits 31; Benefits for social inclusion 34; Benefits for the environment 35; What do the congestion benefits actually mean for people? 35; Use of revenues 36; Costs 37; Charging structures 38; Points to watch 40; Conclusions 42; Chapter 5: Implementation: Institutional Issues 44; Key decisions in establishing a pricing scheme 44; Current institutional roles 45; What has happened so far 47; Requirements for a national charging scheme 48; A framework for central and local government to work together 49; What local government can do 49; Conclusions 50; Chapter 6: Pathfinders 51; Lorry Road User Charging 51; Local congestion charging pathfinders 52; Conclusions 54; Chapter 7: Conclusions and Next Steps 55; National road pricing is becoming feasible 55; National road pricing could meet the Government's objectives 56; The need to promote a greater degree of consensus 57; A number of steps could be taken now 59; Annexes; A: The Economic Case for Road Pricing 61; B: Modelling Results and Analysis 66; C: Charging Technologies and Existing Schemes 98; D: Consumer Attitudes and Behaviour 117; E: Social Inclusion 132; F: Environmental and Wider Impacts 140; G: Compliance, Enforcement and Privacy 149; H: Legislation and Devolution 162; I: System Architecture 168; J: Costs 173; K: Bibliography 181; L: Glossary of Terms 185