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https://www.nationalacademies.org/trb/events

What Do Americans Think About Federal Transportation Tax Options? Preliminary Results from Year 2 of a National Survey

Over the past decades, the transportation revenues available from state and federal gas taxes have fallen significantly, especially in terms of inflation-adjusted dollars per mile traveled. At the same time, the U.S. transportation system requires critical—and expensive—system upgrades. Policy makers are thus seeking options for raising new revenues. This report presents the preliminary results of the second year of a random-digit-dial public opinion telephone survey investigating support among members of the public for a variety of transportation tax options at the federal level. The survey results show that a majority of Americans would support higher taxes for transportation—under certain conditions. For example, a gas tax increase of 10 cents per gallon to improve road maintenance was supported by 62% of respondents, whereas support levels dropped to just under half if the revenues were to be devoted to reducing local air pollution or global warming. For tax options where the revenues were to be spent for undefined transportation purposes, the support levels varied considerably by what kind of tax would be imposed, with a sales tax much more popular than either a gas tax increase or a new mileage tax. The poll also asked respondents about their priorities for government spending on transportation in their state. Over two-thirds of respondents felt that governments should make it a high priority to maintain streets, roads, and highways, and almost two-thirds said the same about reducing accidents and improving safety. By contrast, not quite half of respondents placed a high priority on reducing traffic congestion or expanding public transit service. The survey questions replicate those from a similar survey conducted by the Mineta Transportation Institute in 2010, to establish how public views may have shifted over the past year. The survey findings suggest that Americans are just as willing to support tax increases for transportation this year as last, or perhaps even slightly more so. For example, this year 36% of respondents supported a new mileage tax if the rates varied by the vehicle’s pollution level, compared to a similar 33% supporting such a tax last year. The only substantial change in support levels over the two years was a jump in support for a gas tax with revenue spent to reduce local air pollution. This year the tax had 48% support, compared to 30% last year. This preliminary report of the survey findings will be followed in summer 2011 by a final report providing further detail.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Web
  • Edition: Preliminary Report
  • Features: Figures;
  • Pagination: 18p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01341907
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Jun 9 2011 4:51PM