The road mileage user-fee: Level, intensity, and predictors of public support. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Duncan, Denvil; Nadella, Venkata; Giroux, Stacey; Bowers, Ashley; Graham, John D.
• Is Part Of: Transport policy. Volume 53(2017)
• Page Start: 70
• Page End: 78
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: H2 -- H4 -- H54 -- R4; Road mileage user-fee -- Gasoline tax -- Highway financing -- Public opinion; Transportation and state -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Rates -- Periodicals; 388
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2016.09.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-070X

Abstract

Abstract: The road mileage user-fee is viewed as a promising alternative to the fuel tax, which in recent years has proven to be an inadequate means of financing road infrastructure. Public opposition is often thought to be a barrier to the political feasibility of the road mileage user-fee. We use a nationally representative public opinion survey to investigate the level and intensity of support for replacing the fuel tax with a general mileage user-fee and with three specific modes of administration of the fee. Our results confirm that public opposition to the adoption of mileage user-fees to address the growing revenue inadequacy of fuel taxes is high, with the number of opponents exceeding the number of supporters by a ratio of 4-1. Furthermore, public support is somewhat sensitive to respondents' belief in the user-pays principle and perceptions of the characteristics of the mode of administration. Additionally, relative to supporters, those who oppose the mileage user-fee are more likely to state that they are willing to take political action against the adoption of mileage user-fees. Highlights: Investigate the level and intensity of support for mileage user-fee. Opponents of mileage user-fee exceed supporters by a ratio of 4–1. Support for the mileage user-fee is sensitive to mileage-collection technology. Support for the mileage user-fee is independent of demographic characteristics. The intensity of opposition is stronger than the intensity of support.