Blueprint 5: True Costs of Road Transport

The book is primarily concerned with the environmental problems posed by road transport and the efficient use of the existing road network. Explanations are given of the theoretical basis for the argument that road transport has become excessive, and the evolving modal split reflects regulatory failure, rather than the benefits associated with each mode. The need to place monetary values on environmental degradation is explained, as are the techniques used. The external costs of road transport in the UK are examined, including the effects of noise, congestion and accidents. Total external transport costs are compared with the taxes currently obtained from road transport. The methodology developed is applied to Sweden, North America and the Netherlands. Details are given in an annexe of all the available estimates of the costs of transport from around the world.