MAKING TRUCKS PAY THEIR WAY

In an attempt to improve the equity of their highway financing methods, 11 states have adopted weight-distance taxes, and seven other states are considering them. Weight-distance taxes take into account a vehicle's registered (permitted) weight, as well as the disstance the vehicle travels within a state. The taxes typically are applied to vehicles weighing over 26,000 pounds, and they replace traditional motor fuel taxes while lowering vehicle registration fees. Cost allocation studies, based on engineering data on the pavement damage caused by various axle loads and vehicle configurations, are used to determine the vehicle's relative cost responsibilities. Analysis shows that in Iowa the net economic impact of a weight-distance tax with rates set to generate $100 million in additional revenue annually would be relatively minor. If most of the cost burden were passed on to shippers, the effect would be approximately a half percent increase in shipping rates. This increase could slow economic growth slightly in the short run. IN the long run, however, a well-preserved highway system is likely to lower shipping costs and thus bolster economic growth. (Author)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1762461
• Corporate Authors:

  American Planning Association

  1313 East 60th Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60637-2897
• Authors:
  • Forkenbrock, D J
• Publication Date: 1984-7

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 16-17
• Serial:
  • Planning
  • Volume: 50
  • Issue Number: 7
  • Publisher: American Planning Association
  • ISSN: 0001-2610
  • Serial URL: http://www.planning.org

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Distance; Energy absorbing materials; Highway user taxation; Load limits; Oversize loads; Overweight loads; Revenues; State government; Trucks; Trucks by weight; Weight
• Old TRIS Terms: Energy absorbers
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Economics; Finance; Highways; Motor Carriers; Society; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00387562
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 30 1984 12:00AM