Putting a price on roads is effective in changing behaviour. Some may decide that trip across town is not worth taking, or can be taken outside the peak period. But it also raises the revenue needed to improve our transport system – providing better access to all. Traffic heading north towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge: the cost of such congestion stretches into billions of dollars every year. Credit:Kate Geraghty Yes, we must address our infrastructure deficit – ensuring we have the road and public transport network to respond to a growing population. And yes, we must encourage the polycentric city model – bringing good jobs closer to where people live. But this is not simply an issue of transport supply, and planning alone cannot fix it. There are many ways we could price Sydney's roads, and it's likely that a mix of measures is needed. Like Singapore, we could toll major highways in a systemic way – so you pay the same no matter how you get from A to B, perhaps varying the toll to cost less in off-peak times. Like London and Stockholm, we could introduce a congestion charge around key city centres. In the long-term, we could charge a simple fee for each kilometre driven, using smart technology to adjust costs in real time to manage congestion efficiently.

We don't claim to have the exact model that will work best for Sydney, but all of these ideas should be part of a rigorous review. Of course, this is a tough sell. Nobody likes paying more, and many will say they already pay enough. That's why it's vital that prices are set by an independent body, such as IPART. We must also ensure transparency on the revenue raised and ring-fence it to be spent only on transport projects – including expanding our rail network to provide alternatives to driving, but also maintaining our roads network. The other criticism we often hear of road pricing is that it would hit low-income earners hardest. It's important to remember that our current system is far from fair. Those who live furthest from the city centre spend the most time stuck in traffic. They also pay more in fuel taxes by driving further. Reducing congestion in and of itself will have a dramatic positive effect on equity. The time for a robust civic dialogue about transport in our city is overdue. We all want the same outcome of spending less time stuck in traffic and this paper sets out a direction for the management of traffic and the reduction of congestion. One size does not fit all. The right pricing strategy will differ from area to area but, critically, a review should be undertaken by both state and federal government.

Road pricing is controversial. But academics, researchers, public servants and many politicians recognise we need to address it. Business as usual will not be enough to sustain our city in the years ahead as it doubles its population by mid-century. Congestion will worsen, costing us in productivity, time spent with families and poor health outcomes. The community needs to support change, even if it's tough, if we want politicians to deliver it. Together we need to create a balanced and informed dialogue about congestion which is evidence-based and learns from modern, global best practice. We can do this – and we must. Eamon Waterford is head of strategy for the Committee for Sydney.