Most Americans support usage fees to pay for transportation infrastructure

Nearly two-thirds of Americans would support the use of road-usage fee options such as vehicle miles travelled or mileage-based user fees to help fund transportation costs, according to a new America Thinks national public opinion survey conducted by Kelton Global on behalf of infrastructure firm HNTB Corporation. The survey, Transportation Mobility 2016, also found that close to 170 million Americans (69 per cent) agree priced managed lanes should be considered when making improvements to US highways.
April 29, 2016 Read time: 2 mins

Nearly two-thirds of Americans would support the use of road-usage fee options such as vehicle miles travelled or mileage-based user fees to help fund transportation costs, according to a new America Thinks national public opinion survey conducted by Kelton Global on behalf of infrastructure firm 6278 HNTB Corporation.

The survey, Transportation Mobility 2016, also found that close to 170 million Americans (69 per cent) agree priced managed lanes should be considered when making improvements to US highways.

The online survey was conducted among 1,002 Americans aged 18 and over between 11 and 14 March 2016 using an e-mail invitation.   The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percent.

HNTB claims the survey’s findings show that more than half (55 per cent) of Americans believe funding to maintain and build the nation’s infrastructure of local roads bridges and tunnels over the next ten years should come from increased taxes, including gas taxes (24 per cent), sales taxes (20 per cent) and property taxes (11 per cent) versus user fees (45 per cent).

Similarly, for the funding of maintenance, additional lanes and safety improvements for the nation’s interstate highways, 56 per cent of Americans would prefer increased taxes, such as federal gas (28 per cent), sales (17 per cent), or property (10 per cent) taxes, over user fees.

The survey also found that 67 per cent of Americans who plan to buy or lease a vehicle see that availability and affordability of connected vehicle technologies would be important in their next vehicle, with 26 per cent who feel this is very important.  And, close to three-quarters (73 per cent) of 18-49 year olds agree that this technology is important versus 58 per cent of older Americans.

According to the survey, 30 per cent of Americans think the most valuable feature of public transportation is that it reduces traffic congestion due to less vehicles being on the road. Again, generational differences emerge, with more baby boomers and seniors than millennials and generation X (38 per cent versus 25 percent) agreeing that reduced congestion is the best benefit of public transportation.

In addition, 31 per cent of Americans believe the best way to reduce congestion on roadways is by providing more public transportation choices, with more Americans ages 50-68 than those 18-49 (36 per cent versus 28 per cent) in agreement.

Charging, Tolling & RUC

Related Content

  • March 25, 2014
    Auto-braking cars: government should meet motorists halfway
    A UK Government incentive for drivers buying cars with anti-crash technology would save 60 lives and result in 760 fewer serious casualties reported to the police, in just three years. Over ten years, such an incentive would save 1,220 lives and nearly 136,000 casualties, according to Thatcham Research, the insurance industry’s automotive research centre. At a briefing seeking support from senior politicians, health organisations, insurers and vehicle manufacturers at the House of Commons today, Peter S
    Read More
  • April 5, 2013
    Belfast and Bristol ‘most congested cities in UK’
    According to the 2012 Congestion Index from satellite navigation specialists TomTom, motorists in Bristol and Belfast now face the slowest moving traffic in Britain. Even London’s infamous rush hour is less congested than peak-time jams in cities like Manchester and Nottingham, the annual global traffic figures found. The index shows that the average journey for drivers in Belfast takes 32.1 per cent longer than it would do if traffic moved freely, while in Bristol, journeys take 31 per cent longer. Londo
    Read More
  • August 25, 2017
    Users want ridesharing technologies regulated, says global survey
    A new survey by the Global Security & Politics program at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) finds that a majority globally (63 per cent) believe that ridesharing services should be regulated similar to taxis. This new data comes at a time when Uber, Lyft and other ridesharing apps continue to expand their products and services to new markets around the world. The survey also points out that the number of those likely to choose ride-sharing over taxi services is notably higher in
    Read More
  • January 20, 2012
    Infrastructure spending is an investment in economic recovery
    Transportation funding is caught in the crossfire as the President calls for infrastructure investment and a reinvigorated Republican majority in the House pushes back on federal spending. Andrew Bardin Williams reports. Every few months some politician or pundit declares that the country is on the verge of making the most important political decision in a generation. The 2006 mid-term election; the 2008 Presidential election; the passing of the stimulus bill; healthcare reform; the mania surrounding Tea Pa
    Read More

Highlighted Content