As advancements in the fuel efficiency of vehicles lead to a diminishing return on investment of US federal and state fuel taxes, some 81% of Americans are willing to explore new ways of funding how the country’s roadways are maintained and improved, according to a national public opinion survey.
The survey, ‘Funding America’s Roads-2024‘, conducted by HNTB, also found that half of respondents said there is not enough being invested in the USA’s roadways.
“We stand at a unique crossroads in the history of transportation in the United States due to higher-efficiency vehicles and broader adoption of vehicles that utilise alternative forms of energy,” said John Barton, HNTB chair of professional services and senior vice president.
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“The needs related to maintaining and improving systems to ensure safe and efficient travel have never been more evident.
“It is imperative that the transportation industry collaborate with local and national leaders to find the right path forward regarding options that create funding models that are dependable and sustainable for the long-term.”
More than 60% of those polled indicated that the fairest way to fund road maintenance and improvements should be based on the number of miles or the type of vehicle driven.
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Of that group, more respondents (51%) preferred a funding model based on the number of miles driven, versus funding based on vehicle type (45%).
“As more states explore pilot programmes around user fees to fund transportation, we consistently hear from local communities that this approach is seen as more equitable. The findings of this survey confirm that,” said Mike Warren, HNTB national practice consultant for road usage charging and emerging mobility.
“While no one model will solve funding issues for the long-term on its own, it is vital that we listen to the public and use that perspective to guide decision-making on how we can best implement funding streams that ensure modern and efficient transportation systems.”
Learn more about how the USA is exploring new ways of funding how the country’s roadways are maintained and improved at Road User Charging Conference USA 2025! Visit www.roaduserchargingconferenceusa.com to find about more about this invaluable event for practitioners of user-financed transportation, including tolling, pricing and road-usage charging!
