Economic instruments in regional road-pricing policy. Investigating opportunities for supplementing the national road-pricing policy for transport

The KiM Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis investigated the opportunities available to local authorities for deploying economic instruments as supplements to the national road-pricing policy for road transport. Research has revealed that regional economic policy instruments often have positive effects on accessibility, quality of life, safety and economic prosperity. There are however also negative effects, such as policy competition and diminishing support for the national road-pricing policy. These negative effects can however be limited through the administration of accumulation tests. This study's conclusions are based on analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of regional economic policy instruments, as related to three types of policy goals: regulating (influencing) traffic, the financing of other measures (such as roads or public transport), and the efficient assessment of investments.

This research was conducted at the request of the Directorate-General for Mobility of the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management.