Daily News Briefs, October 9, 2023

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Construction Industry Group Pushes Indiana Officials To Revamp Transportation Funding

WTTV reports, a legislative task force in Indiana has been cautioned that gas consumption in the state could decline by 4 to 5 percent annually starting in 2025, spelling doom for INDOT’s transportation budget, which primarily relies on fuel tax revenue. In a September 28 presentation to the Funding Indiana Roads for a Stronger, Safer Tomorrow (FIRSST) Task Force, the Build Indiana Council (BIC), a transportation construction industry coalition, warned that the state needs to revamp its infrastructure funding process soon. BIC executive director Brian Gould recommended a system that charges drivers based on the weight of their vehicles and miles traveled. But task force chair State Representative Jeff Thompson (R-28) said all solutions remain on the table. Public testimony on changes to infrastructure funding mechanisms will be taken at the task force’s next meeting, which has since been scheduled for November 15 at 10:00 AM.

Company and Agency Financial Issues And Reports Economic & Social Considerations Affecting Transportation Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Maintenance Indiana Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Road Use Charging (RUC-MBUF-VMT)

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MTA Seeks To Intervene In Lawsuit Challenging Federal Approval Of Congestion Pricing

Gothamist reports, “Not content to sit on the sidelines and watch New Jersey try to sue the federal government over congestion pricing, the MTA is joining the fight. On Friday, the MTA asked a federal court in New Jersey if it could join with the federal government to help fight a lawsuit filed by Governor Phil Murphy over the MTA’s congestion pricing program.” The MTA pleading stated that despite its assertion it is open to the concept of congestion pricing, New Jersey’s aims to block the MTA initiative because it doesn’t stand to receive a share of the revenue. Murphy’s office did not comment on the MTA request. The article includes a recap of news about the lawsuit filed in July. (The case is docketed as New Jersey v. US Dep’t of Transportation, et al., No. 2:23-cv-03885-BRM-LDW (D.N.J., July 21, 2023).)

Newsday also reports on this development in the litigation.

Congestion Pricing Issues of Law Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New Jersey New York New York City

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India Adopts Procedures For Quelling Toll Plaza Violence

The Times of India reports, “In response to instances of violence at toll plazas, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has mandated that all lane supervisors wear body cameras to record altercations. The NHAI has also issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for dealing with violence at toll plazas, including registering complaints and [filing initial incident reports] with the police. Additionally, the SOP outlines how staff should handle unruly behavior and non-payment of toll fees.” The new procedures are a response to incidents of violence (which the government acknowledges) between toll collectors and motorists relating to payment or non-payment of tolls. Toll plaza waiting times and “malfunctioning of FASTag readers” have also triggered altercations, The Times reports.

Crime Beat Economic & Social Considerations Affecting Transportation Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts) India National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)

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These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.

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