Demand Management

Road User Charging

Project Experience

ITP team members have an exceptionally high profile in the area of road user charging (RUC), having worked on many of the key projects in this area over the last decade. Selected project examples are described below.

Fife Council - Equity Issues from Edinburgh RUC Proposals. ITP team members worked on two studies to consider the equity issues for travellers and residents of Fife arising from the likely introduction of road user charging by Edinburgh City Council. The main objective of the two studies was to identify whether equitable arrangements could be demonstrated between those that pay the charge, contribute to congestion, and benefit from transport projects in which RUC monies are invested. Nick Ayland subsequently appeared as an expert witness at the public inquiry into the proposed RUC scheme on behalf of Fife Council.

Bristol City Council - Evaluation of Bristol RUC and LRT Schemes. Jamie Wheway of ITP was part of a team of consultants who undertook a major project for Bristol City Council on the evaluation and assessment of road user charging and LRT schemes. The objectives of the study were to define in detail a preferred RUC scheme for the City, to define a preferred package of complementary measures to reinforce the scheme, and to provide an impact assessment of alternative package options. The study involved the development of a new multi-modal model for Bristol , including a RUC response model developed from stated preference survey data.

Bristol City Council – PROGRESS project. Nick Ayland worked to provide management consultancy advice on the client side to Bristol City Council, helping to review, monitor and manage the efforts of the consultant team in the above study. Nick also worked with partners from seven other European cities who are active in road user charging, within the EC-funded PROGRESS demonstration project.

Regional RUC Options Study -ITP was part of a team charged with identifying a feasible and practicable RUC strategy for a southern area of Britain for a Shire Council (not named for confidentiality reasons). This major study examined a number of different charging schemes including cordon charging, entry permits, area licensing and distance-based charging. The impacts of the scheme options were assessed and compared under a NATA style appraisal.

Road User Charging and Workplace Parking Levy Options Study - Nick Ayland led a study team charged with identifying a feasible and practicable RUC or WPL strategy for a small city in southern England on behalf of a County Council. The study examined and assessed (using a NATA style appraisal framework) a number of different charging schemes including workplace parking levy, cordon charging, entry permits, area licensing and distance-based charging.

Greater Nottingham Transport Partnership - Nottingham Road User Charging Feasibility Study. ITP team members undertook a study to investigate whether road user charging could feasibly contribute to an integrated transport solution to growing travel demand in Nottingham. The study reviewed experience in other cities, developed options to meet local objectives, and evaluated options in terms of cost, traffic impact, revenue, implementation timescale and practical issues.

Department for Regional Development, Northern Ireland - Charging Scheme Option Assessment Study. Nick Ayland (now of ITP) led a study to conduct an assessment of road user charging and workplace parking levy (WPL) scheme options for Belfast and assessment of WPL for other Northern Ireland towns. This involved appraisal of a range of potential impacts, as well as potential public acceptability and financial and technological issues. This study built on earlier feasibility study (see below).

Department for Regional Development, Northern Ireland - Belfast Charging Scheme Feasibility Study. Nick Ayland led an initial feasibility study of charging scheme options for Belfast, including development of outline scheme options to meet the needs and problems of the city.

Department for Transport - Urban Road User Charging Scheme Design Principles. Nick Ayland and Jamie Wheway of ITP conducted the major part of this key research project for the Department of Transport, which culminated in the preparation of a practical guide to assist local authorities in the design, assessment and implementation of RUC schemes. The work involved a review of international experience and practice covering all aspects of road user charging. It also involved interviews with selected local politicians to identify the political issues and barriers associated with RUC.

Hong Kong Transport Department - Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) Feasibility Study. Jamie Wheway served as Transport Strategy team leader for this ground-breaking and award-winning project in Hong Kong . Jamie had particular responsibilities for development of an ERP transport model, specification of model runs, assessment and evaluation of alternative ERP strategies, and identification of a preferred strategy including charge rates, charge area, exemptions, and complementary measures. He was responsible for day-to-day liaison on transport planning and modelling matters with Transport Department.

Nottingham City Council – Workplace Parking Levy in Nottingham - Operation and Enforcement Study. Nick Ayland led a detailed study of how the proposed Nottingham Workplace Parking Levy (WPL) scheme would best be operated and enforced, including study of operational details, data and IT requirements, and scheme costs and revenues.

Bristol City Council – Outline Road User Charging Scheme Design. ITP team members played a leading role in the initial development of an outline road user charging scheme design for Bristol city centre, including initial assessment of options and development of cost estimates and an implementation programme.

Leeds City Council – Leeds Road Pricing Study. Nick Ayland worked with MVA on the Leeds Road Pricing Study in the late 1990’s, providing input on system options, costs and practical issues associated with possible Leeds road user charging scheme options.

DfT – Administration and Enforcement of Road User Charging. Nick Ayland led this major study of administration and enforcement processes for road user charging schemes. Recommendations from the study were subsequently adopted in national guidance.

Bristol City Council – CONCERT/ELGAR Project. Nick Ayland played a leading role in demonstration and evaluation of ITS-based pollution reducing transport strategies in Bristol, within the framework of a collaborative European project. This included a pioneering trial of road user charging with volunteers on a busy arterial corridor.

Department for Transport – London Congestion Charging Research Programme. Nick Ayland worked with Ian Catling to assess the technological options and prepare cost estimates for a congestion charging system for London in the mid 1990’s.