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The surge in urban traffic worldwide is leading to increasing problems of congestion and environmental degradation. Congestion charging is coming to be seen as one of the more effective policy options—particularly since the introduction of the central London scheme in 2003—but it remains highly controversial. This paper describes the issues of public and political acceptance and the economic arguments for congestion pricing. It also looks at the issues that need to be addressed by authorities contemplating the introduction of a charge, including use of revenue, accuracy and reliability of the monitoring technology availability of alternatives to cars, promotion, and the importance of positive political will and leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The provision of quality travel information to the travelling public and transport network managers is a key component in managing and ultimately reducing traffic congestion. It requires real-lime information to be effective, but this is only the beginning as journeys take place over time and space—and conditions in a particular part of the network can change rapidly. To inform the travelling public and network managers more fully, real-time traffic models with self-learning capabilities able to provide short-term forecasts need to be developed. This paper discusses recent developments in real-time travel information and identifies ways in which it can be taken to new levels, resulting in more intelligent and effective use of existing transport infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides updates on developments at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) in Great Britain. ICE president David Orr provided a budget submission to British Chancellor Alistair Darling in February 2008 calling for a strategic infrastructure planning body to be set up in the country. ICE published "Little Book of Civilisation 2," as part of its ongoing campaign to boost public understanding of the huge contribution civil engineers make to society. ICE's library in London, England has launched an adopt a book scheme.