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Network impacts of distance-based road user charging

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Abstract

Distance-based road user charging is being seen as one potential mechanism to implement national road charging schemes. This paper investigates the design aspects of universal distance-based charging schemes and incorporates procedures within a detailed network supply model to represent how a range of different permutations of distance-based charges across a given network (charging regimes) affect route-choice, travel characteristics and demand for road space. The results suggest that distance-based charging can reduce number and length of trips, congestion, accidents and pollution, and provide net economic benefits and revenues. However, these benefits are not found to be uniform throughout the network. Their magnitude largely depends on the charge level, the hierarchy of charges across the network, and the difference between the charge levels.

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  1. Halcrow Group Limited, 4rth floor Vineyard House, 44, Brook Green, Hammersmith, W6 7BY, London, UK

    Astha Balwani & Sandeep Singh

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  1. Astha Balwani
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  2. Sandeep Singh
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Correspondence to Astha Balwani.

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Balwani, A., Singh, S. Network impacts of distance-based road user charging. Netnomics 10, 53–75 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11066-008-9025-y

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