Caltrans Launches Pilot to Study Pay-By-Mile Road Charge Concept

Caltrans, along with 5,000 volunteers across California, just launched a new nine-month pilot program to test out a pay-by-the-mile financing model to possibly replace the gas tax. Rather than charging drivers at the pump for the gasoline they use, the pilot is exploring the option of instead charging for the miles that they actually drive. 

The pilot is part of an effort to explore options for stemming the loss of dwindling gas tax funds, which have been falling over the past decade as fuel efficiency standards increase and as more and more people switch to hybrid or electric vehicles. The dwindling funds leave $5.7 billion in necessary annual maintenance to California’s state highway system unfunded.

In this News Flash, learn about the pilot, options available to volunteers to measure their mileage and how Caltrans is working to gain insight into whether a road charge program is a viable way to generate revenue to support California’s aging transportation infrastructure.