Overview
This project is the second stage of the work undertaken by a consortium of NERA, AEA and Professor McKinnon of Herriot-Watt University into the track and environmental costs imposed by goods vehicles. At this stage, the consortium was joined by a team from TRL to provide particular advice on road wear associated with goods vehicles.
It is intended that the work will inform the fundamental review of Vehicle Excise Duty for goods vehicles announced by the Chancellor in the 1998 Budget, and has been overseen by an Advisory Board whose members include representatives of the road haulage industry and environmental groups, as well as academics and representatives of the interested Government departments (DTLR, Treasury and DTI).
The project objective is to inform the fundamental review of Vehicle Excise Duty for goods vehicles that was announced by the Chancellor in the 1998 budget and has been overseen by an Advisory Board.
The principal output from the research is a model for the calculation of the costs imposed by goods vehicles, encompassing both road wear and a range of environmental impacts. The model has now been handed over to the Department. The commission also included a study of the structure of Vehicle Excise Duty for goods vehicles in other European countries and the preparation of an outline specification for a stated preference survey to develop the work undertaken by Professor Mackinnon on hauliers' attitudes as part of the first phase of the project.
Funding
Results
This research was carried out in two parts. An Excel model of the HGV fleet was developed distinguishing between 33 different classes according to gross vehicle weight and axle configuration, and 16 different vintages (33 X 16 HGV combinations). Track costs were allocated to four road types, whilst emissions covered NOx, PM10 and CO2.
The model for each HGV combination can then calculate average annual track and environmental costs. Phase 2 expanded on the work considerably. AEA extended the coverage of environmental costs to incorporate non-methane VOCs, CO, benzene, butadiene and sulphur dioxide. Monetary values applied to these emission rates identify health and non-health impacts.
The model also takes into account estimates of noise associated with HGVs. Both total and individual component costs can be calculated using the model.
Policy implications
Freight
Key Findings
This project looks into the track and environmental costs imposed by goods vehicles. The project objective was to inform the fundamental review of Vehicle Excise Duty for goods vehicles that was announced by the Chancellor in the 1998 budget and which was overseen by an Advisory Board. The project covers the freight domain of carriers and transport systems and aligns to the following freight sub themes:
Logistics and supply chain management, in particular management of transport resources
Efficient market place, in particular the issue of fair and efficient pricing.
Policy Implications
This project potentially contributes to reducing environmental impacts through operational and strategic measure including fiscals measures, pricing and incentives. The model examines pricing methodologies for the freight industry, which has implications for freight operators.
Economic aspects
Key Findings
This project covers the following economic aspects sub themes:
Transport planning and management tools, especially mathematical models for transport demand forecasting
European transport information systems.
Environmental aspects
Key Findings
The project covers the following environmental aspects sub themes:
- Environmental sustainability; and
- Local and regional air quality.