It seems that no one is able to agree on how best to fund the maintenance and upkeep of the nation’s roadways. There are multiple proposals from various different groups, all calling for different methods of funding. An increased gas tax, a per-mile tax, and new tolling are three of the most popular ideas being floated. With everyone trying to convince each other which method is best, a group has formed that will take a different approach and try instead to eliminate one funding option from the table.
The Alliance for Toll-Free Interstates (ATFI) is a new organization which, according to their website, was formed to educate the public about the negative impact that tolling our existing interstates has on our communities and businesses.
The ATFI boasts an extremely influential membership roster. Among their members are all 50 state trucking associations, the ATA, FedEx, UPS, multiple trucking companies, and the National Council of Chain Restaurants whose members include just about every fast food, donut, coffee, and family restaurant chain that you can think of.
There are currently three pilot programs operating in the US that are exploring adding new tolls to existing interstates, despite the fact that federal law currently prohibits tolling existing roadways.
On their website, the ATFI claims that tolling roads is an inefficient way of getting new revenue due to high compliance and administrative costs. They also call attention to the I-495 beltway which they claim actually costs $4.1 million more to operate per year than it earns in tolls.
The debate over how to fund the maintenance of our nation’s roadways is far from over, but with this new behemoth on the playing field, it looks less likely that new tolls on existing roads will play a role.
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Source: tollfreeinterstates, thetrucker, overdrive
I’m guessing that we’re on our way to “pay per use” highways. With chip technology what it is, the minute you get on the road chips will track your mileage and bill you accordingly.
Shortly after we go to chip based mileage tax….Here come the automated traffic tickets, equipment violations and log book tickets. No more DOT but instead sensors and satellites that keep track of everything.
I hope we don’t see anymore tolls. It’s scary to think where this industry is headed.