Book Description
Recent trends suggest that the federal role in funding highways is likely to decline in the future. As a result, state and local governments will likely shoulder a larger portion of the costs of building and maintaining roads and highways. Like the federal government, however, many states do not employ their transportation revenues as efficiently as they could. In this study, we explore changes states could make to allow surface transportation dollars to go further, thereby better serving taxpayers and road users alike. Specifically, we examine how states can reduce costs created by regulations, can better allocate transportation funds to their most highly valued use, and can strengthen the link between driversņ willingness to pay and the amount spent on transportation infrastructure. We also explore the role that changes in incentives could play in reducing congestion; improving development patterns; and contributing to a more efficient mix of streets, roads, and public transportation infrastructure.