The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has appointed members to the newly established Federal System Funding Alternative Advisory Board, which will provide strategic guidance as the country moves forward with a national road usage charging (RUC) pilot.
The creation of the board is a key requirement of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which directed USDOT to develop and test new revenue mechanisms to ensure the long-term sustainability of federal highway funding.
The board comprises a diverse group of experts representing key stakeholders in transportation, tolling, trucking, consumer advocacy, data security, academia and equity-focused organisations.
Carlos Braceras, executive director of the Utah Department of Transportation and a key figure in the RUC America initiative, has been appointed as chair.
He will be joined by Patricia Hendren, executive director of The Eastern Transportation Coalition, who will serve as co-chair.
Other appointees include representatives from US state departments of transportation, academia, motor vehicle fleets, tolling operators, transit organisations and industry advocacy groups.
The board’s responsibilities include overseeing the national RUC pilot, advising USDOT on implementation strategies, and ensuring that privacy, equity and technological considerations are effectively addressed.
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Members include Reema Griffiths of the Washington State Transportation Commission, William Pugh of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), Asha Weinstein-Agrawal from the Mineta Transportation Institute, and Steve Finnegan of the American Automobile Association (AAA).
Equity and public acceptance are central to the board’s mission, with Maureen Bock of Oregon DOT and Michael Lynn of the Cherokee Nation representing voices that advocate for fair and inclusive policies.
Data security and privacy will also be a focus, with Nate Bryer of WSP Consulting bringing expertise in protecting personal information.
The involvement of entities such as the International Fuel Tax Association (IFTA) and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) highlights the board’s emphasis on ensuring operational feasibility across multiple transportation sectors.
The establishment of the advisory board comes at a pivotal time as the USA grapples with declining fuel tax revenues due to vehicle electrification.
The national RUC pilot aims to explore alternatives to traditional fuel taxes by implementing a mileage-based user fee system, a model that has been trialled at the state level in places such as Oregon, Utah and Washington.
As the board begins its work, it will set the stage for broader discussions on the future of transportation funding in the USA.
The recommendations and findings from the advisory board’s efforts will play a crucial role in shaping federal policy and determining the viability of RUC as a long-term solution for sustainable infrastructure investment.
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