ABSTRACT
Road user charging (RUC) has a long history as
a mechanism to recover infrastructure maintenance
and capital costs. The present RUC systems are facing issues such as
transparency, cross-subsidization, environmental concerns and reducing revenue due to the likes of lessening fuel
tax as vehicles become more efficient. Therefore, this paper reviews the
strengths and weaknesses of the present RUC
mechanisms implemented in the world with respect to stakeholder problems and
demands of the freight industry and to describe the need for a more
appropriate, practical and sustainable approach that can be used in the future.
Finally, a model is proposed that is transparent and considers usage-based charging addressing most of the
weaknesses highlighted in the models reviewed. Further, it considers
externalities produced by heavy vehicles into account. The model has the
potential to provide answers to key stakeholder issues and will lead to a sustainable freight transport system in the
future. Encouraging fuel-efficient modes, optimization of loading,
routing and logistics systems, and long term land use planning are a few of
them.