NO GPS REQUIRED: ROAD USAGE CHARGING AND THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORTATION FINANCE

摘要

Road Usage Charging, VMT, or MBUF-a per-mile fee for roadway usage-is seen as a sustainable alternative to the gas tax. Early road usage charging studies focused on the use of GPS to record miles traveled, but using GPS aroused public opposition. This paper argues that the mandated use of GPS is politically infeasible based on results of recent case studies. The paper goes on to show that the alternate 'user choice' model provides nearly all the benefits of GPS and is politically acceptable. It concludes by suggesting that the notion of a GPS mandate should not be part of any discussion of road usage charging.