Generalisation of Research on Accounts and Cost Estimation - GRACE

GRACE (Generalisation of Research on Accounts and Cost estimation) is a research project funded by the European Commission within the 6th Framework programme (Sustainable surface transport). It aims to support the development of sustainable transport systems by facilitating implementation of transport pricing systems that reflect the costs of infrastructure use. Its objectives and content are to:

• undertake new case study research to address gaps in the existing level of knowledge of marginal social costs for road and rail transport,
• undertake new case study research to address gaps in the existing level of knowledge of marginal social costs for air and water borne transport,
• develop and refine the methods of using transport accounts to monitor the implementation of transport pricing reform in an enlarged Europe,
• undertake innovative research on the issue of the appropriate degree of complexity in transport charges,
• provide clear guidance on the marginal social cost of the different modes of transport in specific circumstances and on simple and transparent methods for determining charges,
• refine the use of models to address the broad socio-economic impacts of pricing reform,
• to draw clear conclusions, and recommendations for policy and for research in the field of transport infrastructure costs and charges.