|
This report was commissioned by the Interdepartmental Group to analyse the possibilities of implementing the PPP scheme in Ireland. This document is a brief summary of its conclusions on the using PPP in the road transport area.
The document states:
1. “it is unlikely that any financially free-standing toll projects will be found on the inter-urban network” page 9, Executive Summary
2. “toll arrangements would divert or suppress traffic with a consequent loss in road system efficiency . . . the advantages of this approach must be questioned”. p9
3. “tolling could be viewed as part of a traffic management strategy whereby tolling . . . results[s] in lower congestion.
4. “there are sufficient positive aspects to warrant experimentation with [shadow tolling] in the Irish context. p9
The report mentions that it might be possible to toll river crossings which offer very substantial increase in the level of service to the user, but it does not say that they should be tolled. It clearly recognises that one of the main characteristics of a tolled road is that people will not use it because of the tolls. As such, the report only recommends two tolling options in Ireland, the M50 in Dublin and the Northern Port Tunnel. Both of these routes could be tolled as part of a traffic management plan.
|
