Jorma Ollila to head working group on road use fees

Jorma Ollila, who serves as the chairman of the board of Nokia and Shell, is to chair a working group with the task of ascertaining if Finland should introduce highway use fees.
      The working group, which was officially appointed by Minister of Transport Merja Kyllönen (Left Alliance) on Friday, is to examine different ways that a “fair and intelligent transport system” might be established.
      Kyllönen has previously proposed that the charge for road use might vary depending on whether or not public transport available as an option to driving.
     
Ollila and Kyllönen both emphasised that no nothing is set, and that it is possible that the working group will come to the conclusion that no justification for highway fees or congestion charges exist.
      The working group has been given through the end of 2013 to come up with its proposals, which means that political decisions on whether or not to implement the charges will be left to the next government. Ollila estimates that if the government gets on the move on the matter, the system could be in place in two years.
      Most European countries have highway fees or congestion charges of some kind. Reasons given for the charges range from easing rush hour traffic to reducing emissions. They are also seen as a way of collecting revenue for road construction and maintenance.
     
A new goal for the working group is the notion of the fair allocation of the fees.
      Kyllönen and Ollila also promised that fees would not be the only new measure to be considered. Tracking cars with the help of satellite, mobile phone, or microwave technology is also to be considered.
     
Ollila said that technology could make it possible to automatically summon emergency services if a car is in an accident. Motorists could also be automatically warned of an imminent danger of a collision with a train, for instance.
      Digital driving logs would be possible, and drivers could automatically get information on road conditions and possible congestion. The driver could look up where the nearest Italian restaurant is, or if there are any rock, or classical music concerts in Lahti.
     
Privacy protection for motorists is seen by Ollila as one of the most critical questions.
      “Even that problem can be tackled”, Ollila said, basing his view on experiences from the other Nordic Countries.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Use of positioning satellites would provide most precise way of monitoring congestion charges (1.2.2008)
  Congestion charging could bring the state more than EUR 100 million every year (5.6.2009)
  Helsinki to study introduction of congestion charge (25.1.2008)
  Mayor Pajunen opposes Helsinki congestion charge (19.3.2009)

See also:
  Finnish motorists billed for Norwegian road tolls (1.8.2006)

Links:
  Finnish Government website: Jorma Ollila to chair working group on fair and intelligent transport