Assessment of Public Perception of User-Based Fees and Tolls to Finance Transportation Infrastructure Improvements

With aging infrastructure and declining purchasing power of tax receipts new mechanisms of financing transportation alternatives are gaining increasing interest. Fuel taxes are and have been for some time the primary source of transportation finance in United States. Fuel taxes are fixed amounts that rarely change and which lose purchasing power over time as prices escalate. In addition, improvements in fuel economy can further erode the revenue stream from the gas tax. This study explores the public’s attitude about user based fees collected through tolls that are directed at specific infrastructure projects using the Inland Empire region of California as a case study. The premise of this research is that tolls can complement existing funding sources for improving infrastructure. Public perception of such directed user based fees as tolls has traditionally been considered a barrier in the wide scale implementation of these financing mechanisms. However, according to a recent publication from National Cooperative Highway Research Program, public perception of user based fees may not be as negative as once thought (Zmud, 2008). This study identified and addressed the research need for a framework to assess the general public’s perception of user-based fees and tolls as instruments of transportation finance.

• Record URL:
  • https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cenv_fac/283/
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This research was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

  1 Grand Avenue
  San Luis Obispo, CA  United States  93407

  California State University, San Bernardino

  Leonard Transportation Center
  5500 University Parkway
  San Bernardino, CA  United States  92407

  California Department of Transportation

  1120 N Street
  Sacramento, CA  United States  95814

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Pande, Anurag
  • Nuworsoo, Cornelius
  • Jordan, Adrianna
  • Juster, Reuben
  • Shew, Cameron Hunter
  • Yu, Joe
• Publication Date: 2011-4-14

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Draft Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 99p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Attitudes; Case studies; Financing; Infrastructure; Public opinion; Tolls; Transportation; User charges
• Geographic Terms: Inland Empire (California)
• Subject Areas: Finance; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01882124
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: UTC, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: May 17 2023 12:22PM