Road user charging trends in Asia

Abstract

Studies and debates on the introduction of road user charging, on the definition of an EU-wide European Electronic Tolling Service, and on the interpretation of the European Commission's Electronic Fee Collection Directive are currently in high gear in several EU countries. The basis of this paper is to promote a better-informed consideration of these issues through expanding our geographic and historic perspectives. When following the ongoing debate surrounding road user charging issues, it might be considered that this is a recent European issue. The reality is very different, however, as some Asian countries have many years' experience of road user charging. There certainly could be something to learn from that accumulated knowledge. Through an overview of electronic tolling systems in Asia, the focus is set on possible lessons that these countries might provide for us.