USER CHARGES IN INLAND NAVIGATION POLICY

Policies relative to inland navigation are unique in comparison to those of non-water transport modes. Waterways are considered to be public highways and, historically, one of the advantages of water transportation has been its lower costs due, in part, to a free waterways policy of the Federal Government that is set forth in the Northwest Ordinance and the Constitution. Proposals to impose user charges on inland navigation therefore must consider the legal basis within which a cost-sharing strategy could be implemented. User charges should foster efficiency, equity, and recovery of costs within the system. Fuel taxes, license fees based on horsepower, segment tolls, lockage fees, and congestion tolls have been recommended. Each of these mechanisms for implementing user charges is examined to determine if it will pass the legal test of constitutionality.

• Corporate Authors:

  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg

  Department of Agronomy
  Blacksburg, VA  United States  24061

  Department of the Interior

  Office of Water Research and Technology
  Washington, DC  United States  20242
• Authors:
  • Cooper-Ruska, C
• Publication Date: 1974-8

Media Info

• Pagination: 87 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Canals; Commercial transportation; Cost engineering; Economic analysis; Economic factors; Freight transportation; Harbors; Inland water transportation; Inland waterways; Lakes; Local government; Policy; Ports; Recommendations; Rivers; Ship pilotage; Theses; User charges; Waterways
• Old TRIS Terms: Bays topographic features; Cargo transportation; Government policies; Inland waterways navigation; Inland waterways transportation; Waterway transportation
• Subject Areas: Economics; Finance; Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Policy; Research; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00166391
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: OWRT-B-061-VA(2) MS Thesis
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 20 1977 12:00AM