# Presentation: 069619

## National Evaluation of a Mileage-Based Road User Charge System

**Notes:**
Has everyone handed in the Initial Training Questionnaire?  The questionnaire will give us an idea of your level of understanding about road use charges and hopefully by the end of the project you will know even more.

When we finish our presentation today we will ask you all to do three things.  You will need to see Melia or I and sign the informed consent document, see Jon at the table in the back of the room to hand in your participant information form (which can be found in your packet) and finally you will need to see Matt to sign up for a time to have the On-Board Computer installed in your vehicle.

##      Objectives

- Assess the feasibility and efficacy of replacing the current motor fuel tax with a mileage-based user charge
- Technology
- Privacy and security
- Transition/phase-in
- Public policy ramifications
- Public acceptance

- Mileage-based Road User
-  Charge Study

##      Motivation

- The current motor fuel tax is being undermined by several factors:
- Improvements in vehicle fuel economy
- Development of alternative vehicle power-train technologies
- A transition to a mileage-based road usage charge system would:
- Provide a stable source of funding for surface transportation infrastructure that is independent of future changes in vehicle technologies
- Place road funding on a usage-fee basis similar to other public utilities
- Offer enhanced flexibility for implementation of transportation-related public policy initiatives

- Mileage-based Road User
-  Charge Study

##      Background

- Phase I: 1999-2002
- Funded by FHWA and a consortium of 15 state DOTs
- Studied wide range of issues related to the development and implementation of a mileage-based charge as an alternative to the current motor fuel tax.
- Developed an initial architecture for a mileage-based road user charge system
- Phase II: 2005-2009
- Funded in SAFTEA-LU of 2005
- National evaluation study of a prototype road user charge system
- Critical assessment of technological feasibility and public acceptance

- Mileage-based Road User
-  Charge Study

##      System Architecture

- An electronic unit is installed in each vehicle consisting of:
- An on-board computer system
- A Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver
- A simple geographic information system identifying the boundaries of all road-use charge jurisdictions
- An associated rate table containing current per-mile charge rates for each region
- A cellular wireless transmitter-receiver

- Mileage-based Road User
-  Charge Study

##      Basic System Operation

- As the vehicle travels, the on-board computer uses the GPS system to determine the current vehicle location.
- The GIS database and rate table are interrogated to determine the current jurisdiction and charge rate.
- Accrued charges are maintained for each jurisdiction in which the vehicle travels
- Charges are periodically uploaded to a billing and dispersal center via the wireless communication link
- A variety of payment options could be used ranging from sending of a billing statement to automatic deduction from a credit card or bank account.
- Updates to GIS database and/or rate table can downloaded to the vehicle via the wireless link as necessary.

- Mileage-based Road User
-  Charge Study

##      Important Considerations

- The on-board unit stores and reports only the total amount owed for each jurisdiction.  No detailed route or time information is collected
- Data encryption techniques are used to further enhance system privacy and security
- Any number of vehicle classes can be created, each with their own per mile charge rates, thus enabling a wide range of public policy options
- This system could be implemented on any type of vehicle regardless of propulsion system or fuel type.
- This system could be integrated with other road financing and traffic management options including congestion pricing and electronic tolling.

- Mileage-based Road User
-  Charge Study

##      National Evaluation Study

- Two-year field study, expected to commence in early 2008
- Six sites nationwide
- 450 participants at each site-- Approx. 2700 total participants
- Each participant will have the mileage-based charge system installed in their vehicle for approximately 10 months
- Road user charge data will be collected and reported and simulated billing statements will be distributed to participants
- A battery of questionnaires will be administered to participants to assess perceptions, attitudes and acceptance

- Mileage-based Road User
-  Charge Study

##    National Evaluation Study Sites

- Mileage-based Road User
-  Charge Study