In defense of the Royal Commission 'Report on Transport and the Environment.' (UK Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution)(Policy Forum: Transport and the Environment)

The UK Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's recommendation that transportation costs be raised to deter vehicle use and avoid the adverse environmental and social effects of road traffic growth is justifiable. In implementing such a policy, authorities should first establish targets for air quality, public transport use, automobile urban journeys and other relevant variables. They should then choose appropriate economic tools for achieving these goals. Among the more promising instruments are an increase in fuel duty and policies relating to road pricing in urban areas.