Thesis-2000-Ison.pdf (39.75 MB)
The policy process and urban road pricing: an incremental approach to decision-making
thesis
posted on 2010-12-02, 10:10 authored by Stephen G. IsonThe issue of urban road pricing is currently receiving a great deal of attention. The
subject matter has a long history, stretching back to the economic literature of the
mid-19th century with a significant renewal of academic interest during the 1960's.
Whilst the theoretical basis for urban road pricing has been cogently put forward, an
apparent sound economic rationale does not, of itself, ensure political and public
acceptanceH. ow then should decision-makingp roceed if the aim is ultimately one of
implementing an urban road pricing scheme in the UK? As such, the aim of this thesis
is to analyse the process of decision-making with respect to urban road pricing, to
develop a theoretical framework for the subsequent empirical research undertaken on
road pricing, and to suggest policy options, thus informing the development of policy
and furthering the debate among policy-makers. In effect, an incremental approach to
urban road pricing decision-making is proposed, which stresses that decisions are
generally taken in small adjustments from the existing state of affairs and invariably
necessitatet he attainment of agreementb etweent he various stakeholders.
Two empirical methods are used in order to analyse this framework. First, a national
survey of key stakeholder groups (most notably decision-makers), who have an
interest in urban road pricing; and, second, a local case study based on face-to-face
interviews with decision-makers who had first-hand experience of the first ever trial
of an urban road pricing scheme in the UK - namely congestion metering in the city of
Cambridge.
This research finds that an incremental approach to urban road pricing decisionmaking
is the most appropriate. In order to increase the acceptance of urban road
pricing, schemes should be designed so that the various interest groups can gradually
adjust to the changes in an incremental way by starting with policies that are currently
in force and then considering only step-by-step change. It is still possible however, for
change to take place beyond that envisaged by the incremental approach. For this to
occur, it would require factors such as the existence of a policy entrepreneur, in situ,
who is able to drive the process forward.
History
School
- Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Publisher
© Stephen G. IsonPublication date
2000Notes
A Doctoral Thesis. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy of Loughborough University.EThOS Persistent ID
uk.bl.ethos.366565Language
- en