Acceptability of Road User Charging: Meeting the Challenge

This chapter aims to identify the factors that limit the acceptability of road user charging (RUC), and also to consider various ways in which they can be addressed. Current knowledge about public attitudes and acceptability are reviewed, and these are compared with professional viewpoints. Specific issues are then identified that need to be recognized and dealt with in order to maximize public acceptance. A set of guidelines is proposed that outlines the stages that should be followed to introduce a successful RUC scheme. Some of the practical means by which public support can be increased are considered, and Edinburgh is used as an example of how stakeholder views can be included in the design process. Lastly, the chapter draws some general policy conclusions and identifies future research needs.