IMPROVEMENT OF UTILIZATION OF ROAD USER COSTS

This thesis evaluates the possibilities of more effectively utilizing road user costs in road management. In expanding the philosophy of road user costs, it is necessary to take into consideration the limitations and boundary conditions that arise in its utilization. The possibilities of more effectively utilizing road user costs are related to examining the impact of road management at different levels, current utilization of road user costs, producing follow-up data, evaluating the impact of road management elsewhere than automobile traffic and describing various factors of the level of service. This thesis specifies the framework of examination and presents concepts related to road user costs. The current situation in the utilization of road user costs is determined by interviewing Finnish and foreign experts and by examining the role of road user costs in the various levels and processes of road management. Based on the study of the current situation, it can be said that the lack of uniformity in the systems that calculate road user costs and in the terminology of road user costs within Finnra causes problems in the practical application of road user costs. Knowledge related to road user costs should be increased within Finnra and possibly other involved parties by means of a systematic training program. This is necessary also because road user costs play a significant role in explaining road management to external quarters. In the current situation, road user costs are more extensively utilized only in network and project-level studies. Utilization of road user costs varies considerably by process. Road user costs are used in the districts mainly in project-level studies. When examined by product, the most significant possibilities of more effectively utilizing road user costs are found in winter maintenance, gravel road maintenance and paved road maintenance and repair investments. Possibilities of more effective utilization at the program level are related to the long-term plans and action and finance plans, operating policies related to various parts and products of the road network and theme programs related to the impact of road management, in which road user costs can be utilized more diversely as a tool for comparing alternatives. Utilization of road user costs at the road network level focuses on maintenance and repair investments of the road network, but the field should be expanded to include other parts of the road network. In transport system planning, road user costs as such are not applicable in examining the entire transport system, because they are created for road transport. In such cases Finnra should take a stand on what role the application of road user costs has in the preparation of plans, case by case. Project-level studies should primarily be developed in conjunction with project assessment work. Determining the additional road user costs caused by road work sites should be continued so that their significance can be taken into consideration when choosing different alternatives and in conjunction with project implementation. The clearest needs for development in the planning process are in the preliminary study phase, where studies of road user costs are essential for comparing alternatives. Technical products contain a considerable amount of different individual items, which when studied more closely would essentially improve the accuracy of road user cost information.