Subj : Re: So....... To : alt.tv.farscape From : Steve Brooks Date : Wed Sep 14 2005 18:01:17 From Newsgroup: alt.tv.farscape Nick wrote: > Steve Brooks wrote: > >> Nick wrote: >>> Steve Brooks wrote: >>> >>>> Nick wrote: >>>>> Steve Brooks wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>>>> What road pricing proposals? >>>>>> >>>>>> Basically - rather than paying a flat rate road tax each year we >>>>>> will be charged depending on how much we drive, when, and on >>>>>> which roads. Busy roads at 8.30 am will cost a lot more per mile >>>>>> than quiet roads at 2.00 am (these will probably be free.) In >>>>>> terms of social justice I see this as entirely reasonable. >>>>>> Unfortunately it is also hellishly complicated and difficult to >>>>>> implement. The government's plan is to use transponders in >>>>>> vehicles combined with GPS and software. I think they've got >>>>>> absolutely no chance of making this work. It's many times more >>>>>> complicated than IT tasks they've already completely screwed-up. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Yeah, that sounds kinda hard. Personally, I like the road tax >>>>> being incorporated in the gas tax. >>>> >>>> It's nice and simple and cheap to collect. But our government does >>>> have a point when they say some roads are in higher demand are - >>>> therefore - a premium product. >>>> >>> >>> I dunno about that. The government is the one who made the road. >>> If they had made attractive alternate routes then it may not be that >>> way. They could decide that they are going to do a lot of work on a >>> particularly busy road and neglect all the rest of the roads making >>> them less desireable to drive upon. >> >> I guess that's the difference between living in a country the size of >> a continent and one the size of a postage stamp. In many cases our >> high demand roads are so because they're the only viable route from A >> to B - and A to B is a journey many need to make. In many cases >> alternative routes could be constructed but it would mean losing >> precious open space and our experience is that building more roads >> ends up creating more traffic. >> >> There's also the time factor. If a road is very crowded during rush >> hour but relatively clear at other times then making it more >> expensive at rush hour will encourage those who can to change their >> hours and travel at different times. >> > > I'm also not too crazy about the idea that the government knows where > you are at all times. That objection has been raised here too. -- SB .