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Reference.org
Shadow toll
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<p> A shadow toll is a contractual payment made by a government per driver using a road to a private company that operates a <a href="/facts/Road/3aadH4s3">road</a> built or maintained using <a href="/facts/Private_finance_initiative/3Mh2n9uS">private finance initiative</a> funding. Payments are based, at least in part, on the number of vehicles using a section of road, often over a 20- to 30-year period. The shadow tolls or per vehicle fees are paid directly to the company without intervention or direct payment from the users. </p><p>On more recent shadow toll schemes in the United Kingdom, payments reduce as the number of vehicles increases, to encourage availability of the road rather than the number of vehicles carried. </p>