Acceptability factors to transport policy changes

The authors have set out an analytical framework of the acceptability of pricing changes in the transport sector. This framework combines the dimensions of economic efficiency (to manage the demand efficiently), territorial equity (guarantee of accessibility), horizontal equity (user-pays principle), and vertical equity (welfare of most underprivileged). The application of this framework was validated on some urban or suburban road toll case studies. The analysis showed that these dimensions of efficiency and equity generally reinforce themselves in their negative or positive aspects. This analysis also showed that these various dimensions of equity cannot be ignored on pain of failure. Moreover the ways according to which the acceptability of urban road user charging could be improved, if not guaranteed, were identified.