- Washington State Commission Recommends Gradual Adoption Of RUC System
- DRPA Adopts 2023 Operating Budget With No Toll Increases
- States Test Roads Paved With Asphalt-Plastic Mixes
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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Washington State Commission Recommends Gradual Adoption Of RUC System
KING5 reports, the Washington State Transportation Commission voted yesterday to send recommendations to the state legislature for gradual adoption of a road use charge system as a substitute for fuel taxation. “Drivers would pay 2.5 cents for every mile driven on publicly-funded roads under the recommendation. The commission will recommend that, starting in 2025, drivers could voluntarily participate in the program, as long as they own cars that get more than 25 miles per gallon. . . . In 2027, the recommendation would require all 2028 model vehicles operate under the system.” The commission also endorsed giving RUC program participants credits for electric vehicle licensing fees and refunds for gas tax payments.
The recommendations were outlined in a presentation to commissioners by a CDM Smith consultant. The presentation and the commission’s discussion of RUC is part of the video record of the December 13 meeting beginning at the 1:30:18 mark.
KIRO also covers this story.
Company and Agency Financial Issues And Reports Road Use Charging (RUC-MBUF-VMT) Washington State Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)DRPA Adopts 2023 Operating Budget With No Toll Increases
The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) commission today approved a 2023 operating budget of $307.5 million that includes an annual spending increase of less than one percent and anticipated revenue of $344 million. As expected, commissioners also adopted a resolution that freezes bridge toll rates by postponing a scheduled biennial increase based on the rise of the Consumer Price Index for the Philadelphia region. This is the seventh time since 2011 that DRPA has managed to defer scheduled rate increases. “The Board and DRPA leadership team have an obligation to the public to do everything it can to control costs and expenses before it takes steps to raise bridge tolls,” commented DRPA Chair Cherelle Parker. “Hard work across all facets of the organization to ensure it runs efficiently and effectively enables this toll freeze. We hope this move brings needed relief to working families who may be experiencing financial challenges.” DRPA operates the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross Bridges in metro Philadelphia.
Company and Agency Financial Issues And Reports Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) New Jersey Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA Metro AreaStates Test Roads Paved With Asphalt-Plastic Mixes
Stateline reports that several projects around the country are testing the viability of combining recycled plastic with asphalt for road surfacing. Some early results are promising; but pavement composition, including different types of plastic-asphalt mixtures, must be thoroughly tested for durability and safety in a variety of conditions before widespread adoption can be considered. And while the diversion of materials such as “grocery bags, juice cartons, printer ink cartridges or other discarded plastic” from landfills may sound attractive, the strategy’s long-term sustainability is under scrutiny — including whether gradual road wear will introduce harmful micro plastics to nearby land and waterways.
Environmental Protection Policies Procedures And Initiatives Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Maintenance Transportation and Infrastructure Research & DevelopmentThese are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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