THE IMPACT OF TRANSPORT ON SOCIAL EXCLUSION PROCESSES WITH SPECIFIC EMPHASIS ON ROAD USER CHARGING

F RAJE

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2003

Subject Area

land use - impacts, policy - congestion, policy - social exclusion, economics - pricing, mode - mass transit

Keywords

User charges, Travel behavior, Transit, Social impacts, Social exclusion, Public transit, Public participation, Public involvement, Mass transit, Local transit, Local participation, Gender, Focus groups, Ethnic groups, Congestion pricing, Citizen participation, Case studies, Bristol (England), Automobile ownership, Age

Abstract

This paper examines the ways in which congestion charging can impact social exclusion processes. The findings of a recent focus group study carried out in Bristol to look at gender, ethnicity and age perspectives on the impacts of road user charging on social inclusion/exclusion are examined. By exploring road user charging from both collective and individual perspectives, the paper illustrates how a congestion charging policy could promote social inclusion. Findings show that road user charging can promote social inclusion if revenue obtained from the scheme improves current conditions, such as by funding bus service that operates along lines that reflect the pattern of community connections rather than high density routes. Road user charging could have exclusionary effects if it results in lower income residents giving up their forced car ownership and adequate public transportation is not provided in tandem with charge introduction. In attempting to resolve transport exclusion, involvement of local residents is important, since participation in the design of the scheme will contribute to public acceptance of the policy.

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Transport Policy Home Page: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0967070X

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