Industry News
EU proposals on external road transport cost calculations previewed
15th May 2008
Reports on sightings of draft European Commission proposals on ‘smart’ road charging, which are expected to be published next month, say legislation will allow for external pollution and congestion costs of road use to be internalised, but that this will not be obligatory for EU member states.
Next month’s proposals – a revision of the Eurovignette directive – are likely to mark the biggest single step towards internalising the external costs of road transport. Reports from European news agencies say the legislation will give national road authorities a series of options and formulae for calculating the unpaid costs of road transport.
The legislation applies only to vehicles of 3.5 tonnes or more, although countries can currently introduce road charging for cars too.
One report says toll prices on roads could be raised to include medical care for health problems relating to air and noise pollution, but not the costs related to traffic accidents. Productivity losses due to road transport problems can also be charged-for, as can the costs caused by sleep disturbance, time lost in traffic jams, increased fuel consumption and road maintenance.
The draft text is expected to require member states to hypothecate revenue from such charges to finance ‘projects and measures aimed at reducing the external costs of transport.
(T&E Bulletin 168, 15 May, www. transportenvironment.org)
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