KLBJ | Fuel economy of cars is getting better and that spells trouble for gas tax revenues in Texas. Now the parent group of the Texas Department of Transportation is closely examining how to charge drivers for every mile they use Texas highways.
Such a plan would in effect turn every road into a toll road and that is a predicted tough sell to the public, a Texas Transportation Institute expert recently told the Texas Transportation Commission, which oversees TxDOT, earlier this month.
"As a vehicle pulled up to the fuel pump, it would read some information about the vehicle so that it could tie a fuel efficiency in, a standard fuel efficiency and then back-figure what the mileage would be, then charge a per-mile rate," said Ginger Goodin, Program Manager and Senior Research Engineer in the TTI's Austin office. TxDOT contracts with TTI for research.
Some concern by members of the Transportation Commission was that vehicles would continually charge for each mile driven when it would be driven across state lines.
"Whenever a vehicle left the state, it would know. It's tied into the odometer and so it would be tabulating miles and so when it noticed the vehicle went out of the state, it would stop tabulating the miles," Goodin said.
State law- and policy-makers are perpetually concerned about the roller coaster gasoline tax, which ebbs and flows based on the amount of gasoline sold. When Texans drive less, the gas tax revenues go down.
However, what has not been widely addressed is the effect of those fewer trips on highway maintenance. More road usage means more wear and tear. Conversely, less usage equals less wear and tear. Goodin still sees a "vehicle miles traveled" charge as a tough thing for which the public to be convinced.
"I don't think the technology is going to be a big issue. I think the technology will come along. I think it's the public acceptance that will be the challenging part," she said.
