ifta annual business meeting virginia beach, va august 17, 2011 federal highway administration
TRANSCRIPT
IFTA Annual Business MeetingVirginia Beach, VAAugust 17, 2011
Federal Highway Administration
Introduction
Overview of Highway Program Funding
Overview of FHWA data collectionCommission studiesCongressional approaches
SenateHouse
Future is uncertain
Surface Transportation Authorization
Administration proposalCongress develops authorizing legislationLegislation is signed into lawProgram sets limits for funding during life
of authorizationCongress may need to pass an
Appropriations ActMost FHWA programs have Contract
Authority
Reference - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reports/fifahiwy/
Characteristics of the Federal-Aid Highway
Program
Federally assisted - State administered
Funding tied to specific systems/programs
Requires State to have highway agency
States provide maintenance
Federal State RelationshipFederal Responsibilities
Review and approve State proposalsDevelop regulations and guidancePromulgate StandardsProvide technical assistanceDistribute fundsReimburse State their eligible
expenses
Federal State RelationshipState Responsibilities
Administer projects and State programsConceivePlanDesignConstruct
Maintain and operate highways
Commissioned StudyNational Surface Transportation Policy and
Revenue Study Commission Mandated by SAFETEA-LU section 1909Conduct study
Revenue analysesExisting fundsLong term alternatives
Sources to fund 30 year projectionsDevelop conceptual plan with specific
recommendationsReport published December 2007
Program RecommendationsSpeed project deliveryConsolidate many highway programs to 10
National asset management Freight Congestion relief Safety Small cites access Intercity passenger rail Environmental stewardship Energy security Federal lands Research development and technology
Independent national commission to develop strategic national plan
Target 40% of capital investment in surface transportation as Federal share
Funding RecommendationsRaise gas tax
5-8 cents per year for five years (25-40 cent increase)
Index for inflationVarious adjustments
Credit interest on the trust fund balanceChannel to Trust Fund
Portion of custom dutiesFreight feeReturn emergency funds
Promote TollingPricingPublic-Private Partners
Office of Highway Policy Information Analysis of Data
States enter data on reported fuel consumption and financial data
FHWA has established modelsData is analyzed and adjustments are
made as needed to balance reportingFunding for several major programs
is based on % of fuel computed to be used on highways in the States
Reference - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/hss/guide/index.cfm
Office of Highway Policy Information Analysis of Data
Report IFTA net amounts each month on FHWA-551M
Enter electronically in the correct fuel type
Reference - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/hss/guide/index.
cfm
Federal-aid Highway Program (FHP)
Extensions
SAFETEA-LU expired on Sept 30, 2009
Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2010
Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011
Federal highway taxes expire Sept 30, 2011
Senate Bill
Environment and Public Works Committee
Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21)2-year funding at current levelsEliminate earmarksProgram consolidationAccelerate Project delivery
Senate Bill
Core Programs:National Highway PerformanceTransportation MobilityNational FreightCongestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement
Highway Safety Federal Land and Tribal Transportation
Research and Education
House Bill
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Six-year billStreamlining and Reform
Consolidate programsSet performance measuresDelegate more decisions to States
House BillLeveraging
Expand lending optionsTransportation Infrastructure and Finance Act (TIFIA)State Infrastructure Banks (SIBs)
Allow I-State tolling:On new lanesNot existing lanes
Target funding:Interstate travel and commerce (I-State and
NHS)Preserve existing capacityBuild new capacity
What’s NextFuture is uncertainCommon themes
Fewer programsExpedited delivery
Un-addressed issuesProgram sizeEnhanced revenue
What’s NextAlternative Revenue – MBUF feesHow to report electric vehicles
(hybrid/dedicated)Rapidly declining Highway Trust
FundIncreases in CAFÉ standards
Highway Use Tax Evasion Program