Urban toll rings-what lessons can we learn from the Norwegians?

摘要

Various types of road user tolls have played an important role in Norwegian transport development over a number of years. There are now around 50 such projects in operation around the country of which six are urban toll rings. This article presents results from new research into the urban toll schemes of Norway's three largest cities, Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim. Despite all the projects being implemented under the same policy, by similar networks, and eventually using the same technology, each scheme developed its own individual characteristics. The research indicates that key decisions are being debated as to whether the schemes will continue as toll rings, be stopped completely or transformed into more of a demand management style policy. Interviews with road and local authorities have shown that feelings are mixed and that the decision will depend on various transport, social, organisational and political factors. How can this experience be interpreted and used in other schemes such as here in the UK?