SWUTC Research Project Description
Title of Project: Direct User-Charging for Commercial Vehicles
Project Number: 473700-00079
Principal Investigator:
Michael C. Walton
(512) 471-1414
P.I. Affiliation: University of Texas at Austin
Project Monitor:
Phil Russell
Director
Texas Turnpike Authority Division, TxDOT
(512) 936-0903
Project Status: Active
Date Started: 9/1/06
Estimation Completion Date: 8/31/07
Estimated Cost – Current Fiscal: $58,000
Estimated Cost – Total Planned: $58,000
Project Summary:
Abstract:
The current system for charging heavy vehicles for their roadway use could be greatly improved upon through the application of advanced technologies. The existing system, which depends on the fuel tax and requires complicated payment of fixed-rate permit fees, is neither fairly nor efficiently recovering the costs of roadway damage caused by commercial vehicle roadway use. With vehicle fuel efficiencies continuing to improve and heavy vehicle volumes expected to increase, the existing charging system will become increasingly inadequate. Advanced technologies provide an opportunity for development of a direct weight and distance based user-charging system. Vehicle identification, tracking, and weighing technologies already widely used for a variety of purposes in the US and abroad could be implemented as part of such a system.
The goal of this project is to develop a conceptual plan and identify appropriate technologies for weight and distance based direct user-charging of commercial vehicles. The proposed system should provide a more fair and efficient means of recovering the cost of roadway damage by heavy vehicles. In addition, this study will identify the costs that may be incurred, barriers that must be overcome, and benefits that could be achieved by implementation of such a system.
Objectives:
The goal of this project is to develop a conceptual plan and identify appropriate technologies for weight and distance based direct user-charging of commercial vehicles. The proposed system should provide a more fair and efficient means of recovering the cost of roadway damage by heavy vehicles. In addition, this study will identify the costs that may be incurred, barriers that must be overcome, and benefits that could be achieved by implementation of such a system.
Tasks:
Task 1. Examine the state’s current and future commercial vehicle traffic, including volumes, vehicle and cargo types, and industry trends.
Task 2. Examine current heavy vehicle charging practices in Texas, including fuel tax, and overweight and over-dimension permits.
Task 3. Perform a review of alternative charging schemes currently in use in other states and countries.
Task 4. Perform a technology review of systems that may be applied as part of a weight and distance based charging scheme.
Task 5. Develop a conceptual plan for an ITS-based weight-distance charging system.
Task 6. Evaluate the costs and benefits of applying a weight-distance charge vs. current practices.
Task 7. Identify any institutional barriers that must be overcome for implementation.
Task 8. Complete a final report detailing study results.
Index Terms:
Commercial Vehicles, User Charges, Roads, Fuel Taxes, Cost Recovery, Technology, Heavy Vehicles