Send To Friend 
CaptionTweet This! http://mync.com/site/14416/
It's no secret North Carolina is looking for a new way to fund its roadways, and 15 years from now, you could be paying in ways you've never imagined.
Links:
DOT Current Regional Road Projects
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is facing a $300 million shortfall this year which is expected to triple over the next three years. Revenue sources like the gas tax and the highway usage tax are directly tied to the economy, which means the DOT is taking a hit.
The search is on for new funding sources. A population boom, less gasoline consumption, hybrid cars are all factors putting the brakes on the "old way" of funding North Carolina's roads explains David Joyner, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Turnpike Authority.
"There will be a radical change in the way we currently fund roads," Joyner said.
Joyner said when he thinks 15 years into the future, there's one funding idea out there that stands out the most.
"You buy a new car it's there it's a chip that doesn't cost hardly anything and like a GPS system it allows cars to be identified when they enter a certain roadway or when they leave a certain roadway and the time of day that they travel," Joyner said.
The concept, Joyner explained, is that you could be charged based upon how far you travel, at what time of day and what kind of road you drive on. And, just like you get an electric or cable bill he said, you could get a transportation bill in the mail every month. He sees it eventually replacing the gas tax.
"The question, I think everybody is concerned about, is the privacy issues," Joyner said.
Joyner said a system like this would have to be overwhelmingly accepted by the public. But in the meantime, a scaled down version of the concept simply measuring mileage, is being tested right here in the Triangle. Paul Hanley, the Director of Transportation Policy Research at the Public Policy Center at the University of Iowa, is heading up the study.
"Testing the feasibility of switching from the fuel tax, pay at the pump, to having a mileage charge," Hanley said.
It's a five-year, $12 million study Hanley said Congress asked them to conduct. It's taking place in six locations across the country including the Triangle. Starting this week 200 Triangle participants will have "onboard computers" or "microchips" installed in their cars. Those devices Handley said, will record the number of miles traveled.
"As a study team we do have a concern that this system isn't Big Brother watching where we go, when we go and how we go, so that's the design of it, is only looking at mileage," Hanley said.
North Carolina's Transportation Secretary, Lyndo Tippett, said exactly what the mileage fee would be hasn't been studied and would have to be approved by the legislature if the concept became a reality, but said the concept is not far fetched.
"These are concepts at the moment looking into the future and we fully expect this type system to be implemented," Tippett said. "The easy way to implement that which could be done quickly is simply when you renew your automobile license tag you would report the mileage which is driven each year."
But there are other, more short term options to increase revenue he said.
"User fees, user fees being automobile registration fees might be adjusted, driver's license fees might be adjusted," Tippett said.
Tippet said toll roads, which are in the works, will help in the future but only address about five percent of transportation needs. David Joyner, who is overseeing the toll road project, also said he sees tolls playing a limited role in future funding.
"Both construction costs and maintenance come off the DOT's budget, that's the double benefit of tolling. The downside of tolling is that it only works in limited circumstances where there are high traffic volumes or congestion," Joyner said.
Losses in revenue now, according to Tippett, are causing the DOT to defer projects, make cutbacks and stretch the lifespan of current roadways.
"We're having to make tough choices in what indeed are tough times," Tippett said.
Report Abuse 
Comments
By Howie on 02/12 04:08 PM
Time to register my car in Virginia.
By Robber on 01/18 07:12 PM
These are helpful general principles. They underscore the fact that successful fundraising and revenue generation are closely tied to effective management of an organization's operations. With respect to fund development, I would advise organizations seeking alternative sources to build on strengths. Communicate with donors, some in person, to emphasize the value of services provided. Stay the course in building and maintaining donor relationships. Those who have given for specific programs and projects may be convinced to give significantly more. Many people give and often give more in hard times if properly educated.
By NCNativeNoMore on 01/13 11:12 AM
ThenGetOut, I did leave NC. Smartest thing I ever did. Other states do know how to do it better and it's a shame NC is in this shape.
By Stop the Insanity on 01/02 08:42 PM
Good God what are these idiots thinking? First off, as a person with a full time paying job and as a volunteer with two local non profits - I incur a lot of mileage. It's sad enough that people who volunteer and use their cars can only claim .145 cents per mile while business mileage is at least triple that. This type of tax would further erode volunteerism which SAVES the Federal and State governments billions of dollars a year in human services. People who do meals on wheels have already dropped out due to the $4/gallon gas costs that have FOR NOW, dropped. I do animal rescue and typically put 7,000 to 10,000 miles a year on my car for transporting homeless animals to and from a shelter, to vet appts and to adoption events - let's further erode my ability to save lives by taxing me out of the ability to do this good work. What kind of idiots are running our state?
By Phooey on 11/22 07:20 PM
Phooey. Bleh. Ick.
By Seriously?! on 11/20 10:32 PM
I'm with Joe Taxpayer on this one. If the DOT would hold the contractors responsible we wouldn't be having this discussion. When they set a budget, they should stick to it, and if it isn't done right the first time, it should be on them to repair. Why should the taxpayer carry yet ANOTHER burden for big business?
By I hate THENGETOUT on 11/20 07:31 PM
You're such a coward "Then." Maybe France is looking for more citizens. Please leave our great country.
By Fluke on 11/20 06:28 PM
When the country goes off the rails, only a coward would suggest leaving it. A real patriot works to get it back on track. Jerk.
By ThenGetOut on 11/20 09:47 AM
if you don't like the state you currently live in, move back to where ever the hell you came from. I am sure it was much cheaper to live there, OH or is that why you moved here in the 1st place.
By Flukenhowser on 11/19 10:03 PM
I hate Democrats. I hate Republicans. We need to get rid of the two party system. THEY are the cause of our downfall. They've divided this country into two pieces, and if anyone should be considered a traitor, they should.
By Winthorpe on 11/19 09:59 PM
George Bush didn't destroy this country alone. You helped by putting him in office for two terms. Jerk.
By Hugh Jorgan on 11/19 08:01 PM
Thanks George Bush. Thanks for the Iraq War to the tune of 10 billion a month; thanks for putting in debt to the tune of 10 trillion dollars; thanks for the patriot act that is anything but patriotic; thanks for Gitmo, torture, taking away the right to due process, destroying our economy, and helping our enemies. Thanks for wrecking my country. Thanks for nothing. Jerk.
By Joe Taxpayer on 11/19 08:40 AM
If this government will stop taking money from the "TRUST FUND" from the gas taxes and using it to balance the budget, they might have more money. Hold the contractors liable for the crappy work they do on the roads too. Charge me for driving? I think I already pay enough to drive in this state. Maybe it is time to move. Which by the way, if enough people leave this backwards state, the government will have even less money to waste.
By LilWayne on 11/18 08:21 PM
The "big brother" aspect of this is really scary. Laura Barron did a great job on that story - she's just so good.
By PJ on 11/18 11:21 AM
Steve, your paying for using the road, not the gas. They are not taxing you for fuel consumption. That was just the most productive tax avenue to achieve their finance goals. Now, the less you consume (i.e. Hybrids) the less revenue the state takes in. So, they have to justify pilfering your hard-earned money in some other fashion.
By Jayne on 11/18 10:38 AM
Is the actual news segment posted online or just this commercial for it?
By JLo on 11/18 12:57 AM
Interesting story. Not sure how I feel about GPS tracking where I drive. What about people who drive high mileage in their personal vehicle for work purposes? Hey "Pissed Off", where are you moving to?
By wasted money on 11/17 10:39 PM
Maybe DOT wouldn't have such a budget shortfall if they'd fix the roads right the first time instead of having to re-do the work multiple times at an additional cost. Look at I-40 between Hwy 54 & 15/501 that had to be redone. DOT just repaved the intersection of Glenwood(Hwy 70) & Lumley Ave and less than a month later had to patch it in 3 places. The road where my office is has had the same pot hole "fixed" 3 times in 2 yrs. Do a better job the first time and quit having to do it over and maybe you'll have a surplus of resources, money, & time to get other work done.
By pissed off on 11/17 08:54 PM
This is crazy. Plain and simple. Tazes and prices are already high enough. IMO NC is going down the crapper. I am actually embarrassed to live here. It is disgusting what they are coming up with to drain you for every last penny. I hope these morons realize what they are doing is absolute stupidity. I no longer want to live in NC
By Steve on 11/17 03:07 PM
I dont think changing from Gas Tax to tracking how many miles one drives is a fair burden. People who drive a Hybrid as far as someone who drives a truck would be penalized, as the truck is less fuel efficient. The person using more fuel, because of their vehicles poor fuel economy, currently pay more tax because they are buying more fuel. The current tax is more fair.
Post A Comment
Commenting is not available in this section entry.