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CATRIN (Cost Allocation of Transport Infrastructure Cost)

Completed Project

Project Management

Heike Link

Commissioned by

EU Commission
CATRIN is a research project to support the european transport policy, specifically to assist in the implementation of transport pricing. CATRIN will increase the probability that new progressive pricing principles can be implemented which facilitate a move towards sustainable transport. CATRIN is both intermodal and interdisciplinary, emphasize the need of new member states, understands that different organsational forms require different recommendations, that recommendations need to be given in short and long-term perspective and that they have to be thoroughly discussed with infrastructure managers.

CATRIN will clarify the current position on allocation of infrastructure cost in all modes of transport. Pricing principles will be dealt with under the knowledge that they varies with the organisational structure of a sector. CATRIN will establish the micro-aspects of cost recover above marginal costs, including the results of applying a club approach and the implication of who bears the costs for cost recovery under alternative allocation rules, using game theoretic analytical tools.

CATRIN will develop the understanding of policy need of new member states and can give tailored recommendations. In a modal focus, with real world cases, CATRIN will develop proxies to marginal costs and test some of the allocation approaches. Based on engineering studies CATRIN will analyse the possibility to define more differentiated pricing rules for vehicle/locomotive categories. Partners with strong engineering knowledge are included and CATRIN will blend the economic principles of pricing with engineering knowledge. CATRIN will outline the possibilities for a european road damage test that will give new evidences on the fourth-power-rule. CATRIN will develop financing alternatives for icebreaking and will explore cost allocation in the aviation sector. Finally, CATRIN will strongly address the implementation potential and constraints experienced by infrastructure managers.

DIW Team

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