INTRODUCTION OF A SYSTEM OF INFRASTRUCTURE USER CHARGING AS PART OF THE JOINT TRANSPORT POLICY

L'INSTAURATION D'UN SYSTEME DE TARIFICATION DE L'USAGE DES INFRASTRUCTURES DANS LE CADRE DE LA POLITIQUE COMMUNE DES TRANSPORTS

In 1971, the Commission of the European Communities submitted a general plan to the Council for the introduction of a system for charging the users for the cost of the infrastructures. The paper explains the objectives and general principles of the proposed system, and the measures of enforcement envisaged for each mode of transport concerned. The objectives were to promote the most efficient possible use of existing infrastructures, and to make the users bear the full financial burden relating to the creation and operation of infrastructures. The means of reaching these objectives were, first of all, the modulation of tariffs according to marginal social cost; and secondly, the constraint of budgetary equilibrium. As both objectives could not be reached at the same time, due to the fact that the infrastructures are a sector in which the returns grow in proportion to use, the Commission studied the effects of the various regulations possible. The author describes this study, and then gives details of the different systems of infrastructures user charges proposed for road, waterway and railway traffic, with the method of calculation, and the temporary provisions during the 10-year period planned for the progressive introduction of the system. In conclusion, he stresses the great importance of the programme proposed by the Commission, its many repercussions, and the danger that, in the event of failure, the liberal model of transport economy might have to be replaced by rigid economic planning.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Proceedings of the International Conference on Transportation Research, Bruges, Belgium, June 1973.
• Corporate Authors:

  International Conference on Transport Research

  Bruges,   Belgium 
• Authors:
  • Georgen, R
• Conference:
  • Proceedings of the International Conference on Transportation Research, Bruges, Belgium, June 1973.
• Publication Date: 1973-6

Language

• French

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 33-44

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Economic analysis; International trade; Policy; Rates; Socioeconomic factors; Subsidies; Tariffs
• Old TRIS Terms: Government policies
• Subject Areas: Economics; Policy; Railroads; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00127014
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: International Railway Documentation, Selection of
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 18 1975 12:00AM