Implementing road user charging : the lessons learnt from Hong Kong, Cambridge and Central London

Road user charging has long been advocated as a means of dealing with congestionin urban areas. Numerous schemes have been proposed but have advanced little beyondthe drawing board. This paper draws on the experiences of two such road user chargingschemes, namely Electronic Road Pricing in Hong Kong, China, and Congestion Meteringin the city of Cambridge, UK, and it seeks to make comparisons with the way implementationof congestion charging in Central London, UK, has been undertaken. What lessons can belearnt from the three examples that would aid authorities considering such a course ofaction? Certain issues have contributed to the two schemes not being implemented, such asthe level of congestion not being severe enough, the clarity of objectives, invasion of roaduser’s privacy, and timing and presentation. The paper seeks to compare and contrast theissues resulting in the schemes not being implemented with those of the successfully implementedscheme. The conclusion is that it is not possible to attribute the successful implementationof congestion charging to one issue alone. The role of a policy champion, publicsupport given the severity of congestion, a single implementing agency, an understandingof the scheme’s objectives, and timing and clear presentation have all been important factors.