As Road User Charging Conference Asia Pacific 2025 draws near, CiTTi Magazine continues its exclusive series profiling this year’s confirmed speakers.
Taking place on 01-02 October at the Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview hotel, the internationally recognised event will unite senior policymakers, industry leaders and innovators to share best practice in the planning, financing, implementation and operation of tolling, road usage charging (RUC) and mobility pricing schemes across highways, urban roads and cross-border corridors.
Among this year’s confirmed speakers is Dr. Ravindra Kumar, chief scientist at CSIR–CRRI, and professor AcSIR is an accomplished transportation engineer with 27 years of R&D experience.
A PhD and Post-Doc from the UK, he specialises in sustainable transport, vehicular emissions and driving cycle, GIS, AI, and infrastructure planning.
He has led over 60 major projects (₹83+ crore), authored 150+ publications, and contributed to national programmes like PMGSY and Green Highways.
Honoured with 65 awards and fellowships, he has held divisional leadership roles and shaped policies through technical innovation and training.
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At this year’s conference, Kumar will discuss emission-based charging models in India and the role of road user charging in achieving net zero and decarbonising transport.
Name: Ravindra Kumar
Job Title: Chief Scientist
Organisation: Central Road Research Institute India
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?
The best aspect of my job is making India’s transportation system more sustainable, fair, and data-driven, especially by coming up with new ways for users to pay for infrastructure. At CSIR–CRRI, I’ve been able to manage teams of people from different fields in making GIS-based plans for rural accessibility, building transport corridors that are good for the environment, and making digital tools to look at how people use the road and how much pollution they cause. This work is very important because it helps shape national policy while testing real-world solutions that balance road user fees, climate goals, and social equality. This is especially true in a region as diverse and dynamic as Asia-Pacific.
What is the most pressing challenge for user-financed transportation in 2025?
Today, the hardest thing to do is find a balance between making money and being fair to everyone while still being responsible for the environment. User-financed models like tolls, congestion pricing, or road usage charges, as well as “green cess” or environmental compensation costs (ECC), need to be carefully planned so that they are accepted by the public, the digital infrastructure is ready, and they fit with long-term mobility goals. It is both important and difficult to make sure that pricing systems are fair, affordable, and clear while still providing high-quality services, especially in developing countries.
What is your best piece of advice for those implementing user-financed transport schemes?
Use a method that takes into account the data and the situation. Before putting the plan into action, look at localised studies of travel behavior, emissions, socio-economic variety, and willingness to pay. Use digital twin models, GIS, and emissions analysis to help with dynamic pricing and policy calibration. And most importantly, be forthright with the public—being open about how money is being spent on infrastructure and environmental improvements creates confidence and compliance.
Does legislation support or hinder innovation in this sector?
Laws can help things happen or stop them from happening. Well-designed, flexible rules encourage new ideas, green finance, and digital platforms for charging users. But old or broken regulations often make it hard for things to work together, slow down pilot programs, and make procedures slow down. We need laws that keep up with technology and put sustainable development, putting citizens first, and getting businesses involved at the top of the list.
How will user-financed transport schemes evolve by 2030?
Green financing and climate-aligned initiatives will have a big effect on user-financed transportation in India by 2030. Funding will focus on public transportation with minimal emissions, electric vehicle infrastructure, and tolls that are good for the environment. Digital platforms that use AI, telematics, and e-payments will allow prices to change in real time based on traffic, emissions, and road wear. Carbon credits and ESG-linked finance will become very important for the success of projects. Pricing systems will also include incentives for choosing more environmentally friendly travel choices and make sure that everyone has access to them through customised models for disadvantaged groups. This will make cost recovery both effective and fair.
Why are you looking forward to speaking at Road User Charging Conference Asia Pacific 2025?
The Road User Charging Conference APAC 2025 is a great place to share ideas and best practices from around the world on fair, long-lasting, and tech-enabled ways to pay for transportation. I can’t wait to share India’s changing story, which includes things like connecting rural areas, building green highways, and using digital twins and charging models based on emissions. Working with professionals from all over the Asia Pacific will help us build important partnerships as we try to decarbonise transportation and find new ways to fund infrastructure in a way that is good for the environment.
Discover the key trends and challenges shaping the future of user-financed transportation –spanning tolling, road pricing and usage-charges – at Akabo Media’s global Road User Charging Conference series. Join senior decision-makers from around the world as they tackle the issues defining the industry in Miami (September 2025), Singapore (October 2025), Brussels (March 2026), and Abu Dhabi (May 2026). Gain invaluable insights, share innovative ideas and network with global leaders driving the transformation of transportation systems. Click here to learn more and secure your place at these unmissable events!
