A road usage charge program would allow for a government to charge for roads, much like other public utilities- based on how much they are used.
For nearly as long as there have been motor vehicles fuel tax has been a constant and stable source of funding road repair and maintenance, but is no longer sustainable for the future. Today vehicles are more fuel efficient, and burn less gas than those of years past. With new technology for even greater fuel efficiency, as well as electric and hybrid vehicles, governments are looking for ways to make up the lost revenues. Governments need to implement sustainable and uninterrupted funding to keep the roads running, safe and expanding.
The state of Oregon began a program called OreGo, which is currently a voluntary program where participants place a dongle into their cars diagnostic system which monitors the mileage they use. With this specific program, drivers are billed for miles driven, but also credited back any fuel tax that they paid at the pump.
Although Oregon is the first state to try a program like this, but it is not the only state, Nevada, Washington (WA RUC), Colorado have all explored the option, including California who also piloted a program in 2017.
California’s Road Charge program went a step further, and had several mileage reporting options that volunteers tested. These methods included:
- Time permit, a permit that allows unlimited use road use in California for a specific period of time, such as week, month or year.
- Mileage permit, a block of miles based on the drivers expected use of California’s roads.
- Odometer charge, an option where payment is remitted after periodic odometer readings
- Automated Mileage Reporting, Choice of in-vehicle technology, with or without general location data, that reports mileage traveled to a third party account manager which invoices the participant.
Early surveys show that drivers are satisfied with the cost and payment system of a system like OreGo. Drivers believe that a road usage charging system is of benefit to them as it is a fairer tax model, as well as of benefit to the environment. For governments, road usage charging is a sustainable but fair system for collecting tax revenue, while still being cost-effective.
Data Sheet
IMS Road Charging Intelligence
Cost-effective road charging program without the burden of building expensive gantries.
