Are planning procedures able to explain the financial difficulties of toll roads in Norway?

Toll financing in the traditional sense, has a successful history in Norway as supplement to government funding. In recent years however, some toll projects have experienced financial problems. Economists, road engineers and politicians alike are weary about the situation.There is already a debate on how to plan for toll projects. This paper investigates planning procedures of toll projects prior to implementation with the intent of revealing shortcomings that could explain the financial difficulties of toll road projects. The recommended checklist calls for the use of disaggregate methods in traffic analysis, a unified/ standardized forecasting models and elevation of skills in economics and public administration at the regional offices. Better presentation of appraisals and financial analysis results should be a prime goal if the decision makers, who normally are politicians, are to be aware of the risks and uncertainties involved in toll financing.