Financing transportation networks 1. Introduction 2. History 3. Costs 4. Revenues 5. Hierarchy 6. Intertemporal equity 7. Finance choice on a beltway 8. Finance choice on an interstate 9. Finance choice at a frontier 10. Congestion pricing 11. Compensation 12. Deploying electronic tolls 13. Summary and conclusions Pollution alternative fuels congestion intelligent transportation systems and the shift from construction to maintenance all call for a reconsideration of the existing highway revenue mechanisms especially the gas tax. David Levinson explores the fundamental theoretical basis of highway finance in particular the use of tolls and supports that theory with empirical evidence. The author examines highway finance from the perspective of individual jurisdictions and travellers and considers their interactions rather than specifying a single optimal solution. Congestion pricing has long been a goal of transportation economists who believe it will result in a more efficient use of resources. Levinson argues that if the governance were to become more decentralized and collection costs continue to drop tolls could return to prominence as the preferred means of financing roads for both local and intercity travel. An approach that creates the local winners necessary to implement road pricing is required before it can be expected to become widespread