Ask the Experts – Future Financing for Freight
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There has been a lot of discussion at the state and national level about future financing for freight transportation planning and infrastructure. What are you hearing and what can we expect to see in the next Transportation Bill? What are some options that are being discussed with regard to freight fees and dedicated funding for freight? |
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There is considerable discussion about increasing attention to freight in the next authorization bill. Many of the national associations and the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission have recommended freight specific program(s) in the next bill and in a few cases, a specific freight fund or separate freight account within the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). There also has been considerable discussion and analysis of candidate user fees to support such freight trust funds and/or programs. Among the candidate freight financing tools being considered are:
- Increasing or modifying existing HTF truck fees
- Customs revenues
- Container fees
- Bill of lading, waybill fees, or value-added tax
- National vehicle-miles of travel (VMT) or weight-distance fee
- Revenues from climate change legislation
- Investment tax credits
- Tax credit bonds
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Gary E. Maring, a Principal of Cambridge Systematics, has nearly 40 years of experience in transportation policy, planning, financing, economics, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), freight, truck size and weight (TS&W), and intermodal transportation issues. He joined Cambridge Systematics after serving as a senior executive with extensive policy, management, and technical experience with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
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