Public And Political Acceptability Of Congestion Charging

This book explores the public acceptability of congestion pricing in the Chinese context. Successful in western cities, notably London, congestion pricing has overcome vested interests to revitalize city centers and reduce pollution. Given the radically different nature of China's culture and political system, the author articulates why public acceptability should be an issue and how it will look in an authoritarian context. Based on stakeholder interviews, focus groups and an attitudinal survey, this book will interest policymakers, planners, and scholars of transport governance.

As more and more cities consider introducing urban road pricing schemes, this book describes, compares and contrasts arguments for and against using this transport policy instrument.It investigates the acceptability of various forms of road pricing schemes by examining and contextualising actual schemes and hypothetical scenarios. The resulting analysis provides a sociological theory of acceptability, carefully grounded in arguments about road pricing, which demonstrates how professional discourses diverge from publicly acceptable arguments. It also suggests ways in which consensus can be reached between the various road pricing options.

Due to factors such as congestion and pollution there is increased public and academic interest in road user charging. Until now the debate has focused on the economic theory of road user charging. However, a cogent economic case does not necessarily ensure public acceptance and subsequent implementation. This book seeks to provide an academic account of how such schemes might be implemented. It deals with how the decision-making process should be undertaken in order to secure political and public acceptability. This book bridges the gap between economic theory and public policy making and suggests policy options as a means of combating road traffic congestion in urban areas. The book includes a chapter on the Central London congestion charging scheme detailing the various factors which have resulted in its successful implementation. This is essential reading for academics, advanced students of transport, economics, public policy and the environment, and policy makers at the international, national and local levels.

Title first published in 2003. As more and more cities consider introducing urban road pricing schemes, this book describes, compares and contrasts arguments for and against using this transport policy instrument. It investigates the acceptability of various forms of road pricing schemes by examining and contextualising actual schemes and hypothetical scenarios. The resulting analysis provides a sociological theory of acceptability, carefully grounded in arguments about road pricing, which demonstrates how professional discourses diverge from publicly acceptable arguments. It also suggests ways in which consensus can be reached between the various road pricing options.

Based on the MC-ICAM conference, this text discusses various questions relating to achieving a general public acceptance of various "road pricing" measures.

"Recent advances in the scientific understanding of urban traffic congestion have only strengthened the already solid case for congestion charges as an element of a successful urban transport policy, but examples of real-world congestion charging systems remain few and far between. What can be done to improve the chances of their more widespread adoption in practice? This report draws lessons from attempts to introduce congestion charges. Technology is not an obstacle, and technologies should serve policy purposes instead of define them. Charging systems are not cheap and thus should only be used where congestion is severe. Public acceptance is seen to be the key to successful implementation. Although environmental benefits and careful deployment of toll revenues may improve acceptance, a charging system should never lose sight of its principal aim, which is to reduce congestion."--Publisher's description.