Case study

Department for Transport

Developing a strategic approach to road – user charging

In 1993, the then Secretary of State for Transport announced his intention to introduce motorway charging, subject to suitable technology being available and the passing of enabling legislation. At that time there were no systems which would permit non-stop fully electronic charging without the alternative of cash payment on a widespread and heavily used UK motorway network.

To allow existing technological capabilities to be assessed, industry was invited by the Department for Transport (DfT) to submit system proposals to participate in a major programme of research, development and trials for road user charging. PA was initially engaged as the DfT's Road User Charging System advisers to help manage the research programme. Subsequently PA was retained to help define and support the next stage of the DfT's programme – a live, on-road research project and related activities. These two major phases of the research support are discussed in this case study.