Thanks to improvements in gas mileage, the advent of electric cars, inflation and a lack of political will, the federal gas tax can no longer meet the nation’s needs. The Highway Trust Fund declared bankruptcy more than a decade ago, and we’ve relied on Congress to fill the gap since then. Our national transportation budget is a fraction of what we could use.
With no federal solution in sight, state governments have been encouraged to fill the gaps. One effort by the I-95 Coalition, a group of state departments of transportation on the East Coast, will use volunteers in Pennsylvania and Delaware to test if a mileage-based user fee system would work. Also known as a vehicle miles traveled tax, it would charge drivers for how far they drive instead of how many gallons of gas they bought — essentially replacing or supplementing the existing gas tax. For the study, participants will only be sent a pretend bill. Last week, I was accepted into the program.
If the goal is to maintain our infrastructure, I think a system like this is more fair. Electric and hybrid vehicles put wear and tear on our roads, but they contribute less in taxes to repair bridges and potholes than someone in an SUV driving the same routes. That’s why I volunteered to participate with the study. Well, that and because I figured it could make for interesting columns.
Despite my general support of the user fee, I’m not sold on the mechanics of the system. In order to be charged the correct fee, I need to let a tech company called Azuga track where, when and how I drive so they can inform the government how much to charge me. Anyone protective of their personal data is likely to balk at an invasion of privacy like that, and I can’t blame them. That said, if you use GPS system or Google Maps to get around, you’re already offering a different corporate overlord most of the same data.
Once I receive and install my tracking device, I’ll start sharing my results in the column. If any readers are also participating in the program and want to share their experiences, feel free to write in.
Morning Call reporter Tom Shortell can be reached at 610-820-6168 or tshortell@mcall.com.
