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Reforming Road User Charges: A Research Challenge For Regional Science

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  • Robin Lindsey

Abstract

ABSTRACT The way in which road usage is priced and road infrastructure is funded in the United States has become unsustainable. Support is growing for a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) fee to encourage efficient road usage and replace fuel taxes as the primary funding mechanism for road construction, operations, and maintenance. This paper addresses some questions about a VMT fee including what functions it should perform, how finely it should be differentiated, and how users are likely to adapt to it. To implement an efficient VMT fee, it will be necessary to overcome various technological, legal, institutional, and public acceptability barriers.

Suggested Citation

  • Robin Lindsey, 2010. "Reforming Road User Charges: A Research Challenge For Regional Science," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(1), pages 471-492, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jregsc:v:50:y:2010:i:1:p:471-492
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9787.2009.00639.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Yang, Hai & Wang, Xiaolei, 2011. "Managing network mobility with tradable credits," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 45(3), pages 580-594, March.
    3. Zhi-Chun Li & Qian-Wen Guo, 2017. "Optimal time for implementing cordon toll pricing scheme in a monocentric city," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 96(1), pages 163-190, March.
    4. Li, Zhi-Chun & Cheng, Li & de Palma, André, 2024. "Ring road investment, cordon tolling, and urban spatial structure," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    5. Rui Jiang & Xiao Han & Xiao-Yan Sun & Kai-Jia Sun & Wen-Xu Wang & H. M. Zhang & Bo-Yu Zhang & Zi-You Gao, 2023. "On a Flexible Car Use Restriction Policy: Theory and Experiment," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 57(3), pages 647-660, May.
    6. Andrew F. Haughwout, 2010. "Management Of Large City Regions: Designing Efficient Metropolitan Fiscal Policies," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(1), pages 401-421, February.
    7. Li, Zhi-Chun & Wang, Ya-Dong, 2018. "Analysis of multimodal two-dimensional urban system equilibrium for cordon toll pricing and bus service design," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 244-265.
    8. Zhi-Chun Li & Li Cheng & André de Palma, 2023. "Ring road investment, cordon tolling, and urban spatial structure: Formulation and a case study," Thema Working Papers 2023-07, THEMA (Théorie Economique, Modélisation et Applications), CY Cergy-Paris University, ESSEC and CNRS.
    9. Carling, Kenneth & Håkansson, Johan & Meng, Xiangli & Rudholm, Niklas, 2017. "The effect on CO2 emissions of taxing truck distance in retail transports," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 47-54.

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