History of thought and prospects for road pricing

Policy implications of the research program presented in this issue of Transport Policy are discussed according to their theoretical, historical and political origins. Problems related to government taxation are analysed in the light of the early literature on transport externalities pricing that began with Pigou [Pigou, A.C. 1920. The Economics of Welfare. MacMillan, London. (References are usually made to the 1932, 4th ed.)]. We then discuss decision-making processes in transport pricing implementation involving redistribution issues, acceptability, user's satisfaction and equity. The article also briefly reviews the general agenda of EU transport policy. © 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.SCOPUS: ar.j