Revenue-Cost Analysis for Roadway Assets in Texas

Roadway assets, such as pavements and bridges, are essential for economic activity and growth, facilitating the movement of goods and people. In Texas, U.S., transportation funding primarily comes from the State Highway Fund, which includes various taxes and fees. However, traditional funding sources are insufficient to meet the state’s growing transportation needs. This study analyzes the impact of commercial and oversize/overweight trucks on roadway assets, assigning monetary values to structural life consumption and comparing them with state highway agency revenues. The study findings reveal significant funding gaps because of higher consumption costs from these vehicles. Four recovery scenarios were proposed: 1) adjusting vehicle registration fees, 2) implementing weight-distance fees, 3) revising truck permit fees, and 4) introducing mileage-based fees. These scenarios resulted in roughly $300 million additional revenue, addressing the deficit identified from the roadway assets’ expenses and promoting a more equitable distribution of costs among users. The study highlights the inadequacies of current overweight fee structure and road users charge mechanisms, and provides a framework for policymakers to develop equitable and efficient alternative funding strategies, ensuring users pay proportionately to their impact on the roadways.