This primer presents some promising and innovative mileage fee system designs and transition strategies. For states or localities that are considering a transition to mileage fees, awareness of these strategies can help determine whether shifting from fuel taxes to mileage fees merits further consideration. For jurisdictions already engaged in detailed assessments of mileage fees, these concepts can help reduce costs and build public support.

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 686: Road Pricing: Public Perceptions and Program Development explores road pricing concepts and their potential effectiveness and applicability. The report includes guidelines for project planning and integrating pricing into regional and state planning processes, and for communicating strategies and engaging affected parties.

Due to factors such as congestion and pollution there is increased public and academic interest in road user charging. Until now the debate has focused on the economic theory of road user charging. However, a cogent economic case does not necessarily ensure public acceptance and subsequent implementation. This book seeks to provide an academic account of how such schemes might be implemented. It deals with how the decision-making process should be undertaken in order to secure political and public acceptability. This book bridges the gap between economic theory and public policy making and suggests policy options as a means of combating road traffic congestion in urban areas. The book includes a chapter on the Central London congestion charging scheme detailing the various factors which have resulted in its successful implementation. This is essential reading for academics, advanced students of transport, economics, public policy and the environment, and policy makers at the international, national and local levels.