TEPR projects: Infrastructure charging

The way in which transport infrastructure is used can be influenced by the way its use is charged, which can in turn reduce the associated environmental impacts. Charging for the use of infrastructure is usually additional to fuel taxes, but could potentially replace fuel taxes in the longer term.  

In urban areas, congestion charges can help to reduce the emissions from transport, while access charges, e.g. to use Low Emission Zones, can be used to discourage the use of more polluting vehicles. It is also possible to differentiate parking charges to support the use of low emission vehicles.

Charges for the use of motorways – and other infrastructure, such as bridges and tunnels – can also be applied to reduce traffic levels and be differentiated to encourage the use of cleaner vehicles. As a result of the pan-European nature of long-distance transport, the so-called ‘Eurovignette’ Directive sets the framework for the charging of the use of major roads in the EU.

TEPR has been involved in a number of relevant projects for the European Commission including:

• Support study for the Impact Assessment accompanying the Revision of the Eurovignette Directive (1999/62/EC), which involved a review of literature, engagement with stakeholders and a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the potential impacts of various options for amending the Directive.
• Support study for the Impact Assessment for the Revision of the EETS legislation (Directive 2004/52/EC and Decision 2009/750/EC), which took a similar approach in relation to the European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) Directive.
• Evaluation of the implementation of EU infrastructure charging policy since 1995, which involved an assessment of the way in which Member States have implemented the ‘Eurovignette’ Directive.

Previously, Ian Skinner of TEPR has also managed and worked on an impact assessment of potential changes to the London Congestion Charge for Transport for London.