Resource Library

An Introduction to Road Funds

A Conceptual Case Study for Sri Lanka

Author : Kumarage, Amal S. and Connors, Genevieve

Year: 2000

Page Numbers: 44

Acc. No: 1130

Class No: 388 KUM-SL

Category: Books & Reports

Subjects: Transport

Type of Resource: Monograph

Languages: English

This publication provides a conceptual case study for considering a change to the management of roads in Sri Lanka. Road funds have been gaining popularity elsewhere in the world and this study investigates the potential of introducing such a fund in Sri Lanka. A road fund is generally established as a dedicated account linking revenue directly with expenditure on roads. Revenue is derived from direct and indirect road user charges. The experience of other countries in establishing road funds and the lessons learnt are also discussed in this study. The objective of this study is to introduce the reader to examine this possibility. It seeks to provide a clear understanding of what a road fund is, how road funds have operated elsewhere and the benefits they purport to bring. It does so through examining current road provision and the need for better financing and management of the road network in Sri Lanka. The possibility of an urban fund is also examined in the light of the high cost of road provision in Colombo. It also discusses preliminary options for Sri Lanka in deciding how to move forward. The document is intended only as a platform for further discussion and does not consist of specific policy recommendations.