Road user charging Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Road user charging - Essay Example has resulted in resistance from the public, for further increase in taxes.      Therefore the governments have considered various alternatives to meet this infrastructure cost, since the economic development of the country hinges on the development of the infrastructure.   There are various attributes to road transportation such as distance in traveling, size and weights of the vehicles and the loads the vehicle carry, parking, peak hour timings, types of fuel used, traffic level, etc.   Developments in technology in the meantime, made the measurement of the usage with reference to various attributes, easier.   The equipments made available to the transport development authorities, research in transport and logistics sector, development of Global Positioning System (GPS),use wireless data technology (GPRS), etc. have refined the system of measurement.   This gave way to a new system to charge based on the usage of highways by various categories of the vehicles.   The charges based on distances traveled are in vogue in many countries, as it is felt mor e relevant, easier to implement and control.   Establishment of toll gates and installation of new equipments and systems at the convenient entry points is also a part of the development.   Ã‚  Ã‚      A comprehensive study has been made with reference to levy of charges, the purpose of levy, its justifications and implications.   It is also to study the real intention of the government in introducing congestion area charging, and the efficacy of the scheme in addressing the needs or problems of the society, and to recommend the steps required to be taken to achieve the goal or objective.   Road use results in damage of the roads, congestions on account of traffic, pollution on account of emissions and accidents apart from normal wear and tear associated with the climatic conditions such as snow and rains. Pricing of road is a complex phenomenon.   Every form of