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Browsing by Author "Coyle, David D."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
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    Minnesota highways: revenue sink or revenue source.
    (2011-06) Coyle, David D.
    This paper looks at VMT (vehicle miles traveled) fees along public finance principles, and considers the policy implications and potential revenue that could be generated if we took advantage of one of our most valuable resources: the highways. Instead of seeing highways and all roadways as a revenue sink, this thesis envisions them as a significant revenue source. Demand models for VMT both at the national and state level are estimated, and used to estimating the potential revenue that could be raised through VMT fees. This thesis explores the possibilities, both at the federal level and for the state of Minnesota, of using VMT fees to not only provide funds for the highways and other transportation purposes, but to also provide a significant revenue source for general funds. It is shown, that for relatively low and economically harmless VMT fee levels, great amounts of revenue could be raised. These revenues could not only fund the transportation system, but could save the state of Minnesota from harmful program cuts or tax increases, and could potentially help avert a fiscal crisis that could derail the United States‟ economic rebound.
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    Potential Benefits of Mileage-Based User Fees to the Freight Industry and Industry Concerns
    (Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2012-08) Robinson, Ferrol O.; Coyle, David D.; McCullough, Gerard J.
    The concept of funding surface transportation infrastructure through fees charged on miles driven has been receiving growing attention from transportation professionals and researchers in recent years. Highway funding in the United States has traditionally been done through user fees, most notably motor vehicle fuel taxes. However, there are growing concerns among some policymakers that fuel taxes no longer serve as an adequate, sustainable, efficient, nor equitable user fee. Recognizing the problems that arise when surface transportation is funded through motor fuel taxes, several entities, both in the United States and abroad, have conducted pilot projects or have implemented mileage-based fees. Several of these have been specifically designed for heavy trucks. There are two major concerns related to truck travel: (1) heavy trucks consume a great deal of roadway capacity due to their size, operating characteristics, and annual miles traveled; and (2) roadway wear and tear caused by the combination of truck mileage and heavy loads is significant and disproportionate to the number of trucks on the road. The concept of mileage-based user fees has seen increasing support from a number of groups in recent years; however, it faces opposition from many in the general public, and in particular from the trucking industry – which largely objects to this approach to funding transportation. This paper is part of a larger effort exploring the benefits to the freight industry of mileage-based user fees, while highlighting industry concerns over its implementation.