Our transportation networks are the basic infrastructure supporting our daily life and economic activities and are in constant need of improvement and maintenance - but who should pay for their improvement? The state through direct and indirect taxes? The user through tolls and fares? The transport operator? And who should pay for the environmental impact?

This book discusses the basic concept and practical conditions of financial resources for transportation systems. After describing the theoretical basis of burden, the book introduces the policies and financial systems established for transportation in some developed countries (Germany, France, UK, USA, Japan) and compares them from an analysis viewpoint. The book then offers a methodology for comparing the structure of financial resources and presents calculations based on the investment amounts the different groups (eg. transport operators, the state) must contribute to sustain and improve the transport system.

In the first half of the book, the focus is on what positions each country takes in regard to:
1) The responsibility of the public sector and the range of participation by the private sector
2) The balance of burden covered by general funds and that covered by users
3) The balance of burden covered by present financial resources and that as set aside for the future as debt.

The second half clarifies how such national policies are reflected in the actual financial resources. Here, after a detailed review of the financial systems related to transportation in various countries, a methodology for an international comparison of financial resources for the improvements of transportation systems is shown.

Many countries around the world are making large investments in transportation improvements, but even greater investments are still needed. Funding is the key to promoting convenient and attractive transportation systems.

Various types of financial resources are currently being used and a variety of new funding systems are being introduced. Transport policies and funding systems are at a point of significant divergence. A detailed comparison of their conceptual basis is extremely interesting and valuable in determining the best direction for future transportation improvements.

Transport Policy and Funding examines how developed countries are solving the problem of providing capital for present and future transportation goals. After describing the theoretical basis of funding, the authors
introduce the policies and financial systems established in several major countries. Especially new systems are analyzed in detail, including
charging tolls on roadway users and the utilization of private funds for railway and airport improvement. Next, they provide a demonstrative
clarification of how the financial resources differ among those countries. They calculate who is actually paying for those investments and the results are compared using a variety of charts and tables.

This book will be of value to higher level researchers and graduate students in transportation and economics, and also to transportation
authorities, consultants, and government officials involved in transportation; Ministries and other public transport agencies; international banking and investment companies; and major construction companies.