Road pricing demonstrations trials to begin in new year

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The DfT’s first Road Pricing Demonstrations Project trials will start early in 2009 using volunteers recruited by some of the seven contractors appointed by the Department in August. Transport Minister Paul Clark made the announcement at a road pricing conference yesterday

The Demonstrations Project aims to explore in a simulated environment how a scheme charging by time, distance and place (TDP) could be designed so as to safeguard privacy while operating reliably, accurately and cost effectively. Evaluation of the data will help local authorities to develop TIF-funded local road pricing schemes and inform decisions on timescales for the practical implementation of TDP pricing.

The Road Pricing Demonstrations Project was developed against a background of the October 2007 document Towards a Sustainable Transport Strategy. The Government has said it will make available up to £200 million per year for local authority road pricing projects.