7. Position and recent trends in European countries

Abstract This chapter presents a picture of the latest developments of Interurban Road Pricing Schemes (IRPS) in Europe. Specific positions are identified as they are emerging within the two basic options to charge for access to road infrastructure in Europe: either to levy tolls to fund motorway operation and development or make commercial vehicles pay for the use of certain roads. The review is focused on issues/circumstances in the transition from time-based to distance-based infrastructure charges in Switzerland, Austria and Germany. Positions of countries located at the periphery of what is becoming the core of a Trans European Motorway network in continental Europe are taken into account on the basis of the planned British scheme for a Lorry Road User Charge.