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Road Pricing Demonstrations Project

Congestion on our roads, particularly in our towns and cities, remains a serious long-term threat and one that could cost the economy £22billion in wasted time every year by 2025, if left unchecked. We know that individuals want reliable journeys that get them where they want to be at the right time. What they don't want is to be late for appointments because of traffic jams, or to have to factor in extra time for journeys to allow for delays which might not in fact materialise.

With 80 per cent of congestion occurring in our towns and cities, locally tailored solutions can be effective. Our towns and cities therefore need to properly understand the nature of their congestion problems and to develop the right solutions to allow their economies to thrive.

Background to the Demonstrations Project

In May 2007, we announced that we would work with industry to establish how road pricing by time, distance and place (TDP) might operate reliably, accurately and affordably, whilst safeguarding privacy. To facilitate this we set up the Demonstrations Project.

In September 2008, the Department confirmed in the Official Journal of the European Union the names of the companies who were selected to participate in the Demonstrations Project following an open competition. Four companies - Intelligent Mechatronic Systems (UK), Sanef Tolling Limited, T-Systems Ltd and Trafficmaster Plc - are now working with volunteer road users to explore questions of privacy, accuracy and practicability.

A further three companies - Kapsch TrafficCom Limited, Q-Free ASA and Serco Ltd - will explore in parallel how to develop the systems necessary for both road users and the operators of a scheme to be confident that it is operating fairly.

We have also established an Advisory Forum, comprising, amongst others, representatives from motoring, environmental, business and privacy groups, to act as a sounding board for the Project and we are liaising closely with the Information Commissioner to ensure that we apply the right tests for personal data security.

We are at the very early stages of exploring whether the technology exists for more advanced ways of tackling congestion on our roads so it is too early to predict what the project's outcomes might be. Through the project we hope to improve our understanding of the feasibility of TDP technology, starting with the complex technical challenges involved, however this is not a precursor to national road pricing. Furthermore, the project could help inform the work of local authorities that are considering tackling congestion by significantly improving public transport alongside a local congestion charging scheme.

Road Pricing Demonstrations Project (2 Mb)

Published:: 18 March 2008

Road pricing demonstrations project, framework for compliance contractors, invitation to tender (1 Mb)

Invitation to tender documentation issued to pre-qualified bidders for Compliance Contractors Framework in support of the Department's Road Pricing Demonstrations Project.