With just one week to go until Road User Charging Conference Americas 2021, CiTTi meets speaker Tanya Bedward, senior director, transport policy (international and land), at the Jamaican Ministry of Transport and Mining.
Taking place on 10-11 March 2021 via Zoom, Road User Charging Conference Americas 2021 will bring together 27 senior-level speakers from Peru, Chile, Brazil, Jamaica, Canada and across the USA to share insight on the latest tolling technologies, road pricing projects and intelligent transport systems being implemented throughout the Americas.
Name: Tanya Bedward
Job Role: Senior Director, Transport Policy (International and Land)
What is the best thing about your job?
I get to contribute to the Jamaican government’s thrust to create a safe and efficient transport sector to facilitate the movement of people and goods throughout the island, as well as to facilitate external movement through intermodal linkages.
What is the biggest challenge facing those with responsibility for intelligent transportation systems and tolling/road pricing in 2021?
It is to be noted that in Jamaica the departments that are charged with the responsibility of developing intelligent transport system (ITS) and developing the toll roads infrastructure comes under a different entity from that which is charged with regulating toll road operations.
That being said, the biggest challenge facing those with responsibility for ITS and tolling/road pricing in 2021 includes the following:
- A scarcity of resources, especially in light of the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic where available resources have to be diverted towards addressing more pressing needs (particularly in the case of ITS);
- As it relates to toll roads, the annual variation of toll prices is often met with outcry from the members of the public. The implementation of the first tolled highway corridor in Jamaica was in 2004, and to date there are still efforts at edifying the general public on the tolling principles and on what the factors are that determine final toll prices;
- There is the need for operators to determine the toll rates based on the agreed formulas included in the governing Concession Agreements, demonstrating to the users that there were dues cognisant of the prevailing economic conditions created by the pandemic. This, I believe, is important in the operator’s efforts to maintain a favourable volume of traffic on the toll roads and minimise the fallouts from the pandemic.
What’s your best piece of advice for those looking to implement road-user charging or tolling solutions?
This is a very progressive strategy for developing well needed road infrastructure within countries, especially where there is a paucity of resources within the public sector. It also provides a good opportunity for private sector investors to partner with the government through public private partnerships (PPPs).
I would also advise states looking to develop toll roads to not only focus on developing a corridor that moves vehicles faster; rather, they should consider the development of toll roads within the context of simultaneous adjacent land use development initiatives. Ultimately the feasibility of developing and operating a toll road, from the perspectives of both the public and private sector, will require that adequate trip generators and attractors be in place, hence ensuring sustainable traffic volumes.
Does legislation help or hinder development in the sector?
Legislation has certainly helped to streamline the sector in a positive way. It should be noted however, that, in some jurisdictions, the legislative development and review processes can be very lengthy. With greater technology expected to be incorporated into the development and operation of toll roads, it is important that the legislation also remains current with the relevant changes occurring in the sector at the time.
How will the business of road-user charging have changed by 2030?
I anticipate that the business of road-user charging will involve the use of greater connectivity through ITS and will hence be characterised by a greater use of technology. In addition, the financing models are expected to evolve to transcend mere PPPs, but to also possibly include the participation of citizens as owners of the infrastructure.
Why are you looking forward to speaking at Road User Charging Conference Americas 2021?
I am looking forward to the opportunity to share Jamaica’s experience with the development of toll roads over the years, and also to get insights from other participants as it relates to their own experiences in their respective countries.
At the conference you’ll also be able to hear from LA Metro, Cubic Transportation Systems, Mileage Based User Fee Alliance, the Eastern Transportation Coalition, IBTTA… and more! You can view the full agenda here. All times for Day 1 are shown in PST (GMT-8) and for Day 2 are shown in EST (GMT-5). All sessions will be available after the conference on-demand.
The two-day Road User Charging Conference Americas on 10 and 11 March 2021 is the perfect platform for senior decision-makers who have responsibility for tolling, intelligent transportation systems and road pricing to network and learn from experts in their field. To find out more go to: www.roaduserchargingconference.co.uk/ruc-americas.
For partnership enquiries, please contact Robert Gouge at robert.gouge@akabomedia.co.uk or by calling +44 (0) 20 8065 0465. For speaking opportunities, please contact Claudia Davidson at claudia.davidson@akabomedia.co.uk or by calling +44 (0) 20 8037 1777.
Meet some of our other speakers at Road User Charging Conference Americas 2021…
- Maureen Bock, chief innovation officer, OReGO
- Steve Morello, partner, Milestone Solutions
- Tyler Milligan, partner, Milligan Associates
- Lauren Prehoda, road user charging program manager, California Department of Transport (Caltrans)
- Freddy Naranjo, assistant bureau chief – quality control, at the Alabama Department of Transportation
