Matching funding, mobility, and spatial equity objectives in a networkwide road pricing model: case of Catalonia, Spain

Abstract

A review of the pricing and funding model for interurban roads in Catalonia, Spain, is timely because of the forthcoming finalization of toll concessions and the decrease in road taxes. This paper proposes a comprehensive policy approach for a new networkwide road pricing model to simultaneously deal with financial sustainability, mobility management, and spatial equity. A multiobjective perspective involving multiple trade-offs is required. The rationale for these trade-offs is analyzed and a diagnosis of the Catalan road network is performed on the basis of a revenues–costs matrix, which is built on a deep study of revenues and costs for the interurban network disaggregated by type of vehicle and class of road. From this matrix, a consistent road pricing model for the complete interurban road network is drawn and feasible implementation paths are defined. The resulting pricing scheme is focused on the road operation. Charges cover maintenance, operation, and external costs of the whole interurban road network, whereas the fixed costs of road development would be financed by the public budget. In this way, road charges and fuel taxes are complementary and simultaneously cover the full social costs of road transport. Then a two-part tariff is set such that a lump sum charge covers the costs related to second-class roads and a unit tariff per distance is charged on motorways. Alternative implementation paths from the status quo to the proposed model are then set by considering technological feasibility and other social and juridical constraints.