The objectives of the current cost allocation study, the fifth in a series begun in 1982, include the following: 1) to evaluate current cost allocation methodologies and identify possible changes to Kentucky practices; and 2) to determine the 1991 fiscal year levels of cost responsibility and revenue contribution for each of several classes of highway users. Additional objectives include an evaluation of the equity of tax proposals advanced by the Kentucky Motor Transport Association, a preliminary determination of the revenue and cost implications of the Extended-Weight Coal Haul System, and an evaluation of the efficiency with which certain highway user taxes have been collected. As was the case in other recent cost-allocation studies, incremental cost assignment has been replaced with various highway use measures including vehicle-miles of travel, axle-miles, passenger-car-equivalent miles, and equivalent-single-axle-load miles. Results from the analysis indicate that cost responsibility was borne most heavily by passenger cars and motorcycles (44.2%). Other cost responsibilities were 24.6% for heavy trucks; 20.4% for pickups and vans; and 10.8% for all other groups. When compared to revenue for each vehicle class; cars, pickups and vans, and heavy trucks exceeded their cost responsibility, while medium trucks fell significantly short. From a limited examination of the Extended-Weight Coal Haul System, it was found that an estimated $2 million are lost annually from the Road Fund because fewer trucks are registered. Heavier weights of coal-decal trucks add approximately $9 million annually to pavement overlay costs. Related to tax collection, it was found that the weight-distance tax was collected at an efficiency of about 70% and other user-reported fuel taxes in the range of 75 to 77%.

This comprehensive survey of transportation economic policy pays homage to a classic work, Techniques of Transportation Planning, by renowned transportation scholar John R. Meyer. With contributions from leading economists in the field, it includes added emphasis on policy developments and analysis. The book covers the basic analytic methods used in transportation economics and policy analysis; focuses on the automobile, as both the mainstay of American transportation and the source of some of its most serious difficulties; covers key issues of urban public transportation; and analyzes the impact of regulation and deregulation on the U.S. airline, railroad, and trucking industries. In addition to the editors, the contributors are Alan A. Altshuler, Harvard University; Ronald R. Braeutigam, Northwestern University; Robert E. Gallamore, Union Pacific Railroad; Arnold M. Howitt, Harvard University; Gregory K. Ingram, The Wold Bank; John F. Kain, University of Texas at Dallas; Charles Lave, University of California, Irvine; Lester Lave, Carnegie Mellon University; Robert A. Leone, Boston University; Zhi Liu, The World Bank; Herbert Mohring, University of Minnesota; Steven A. Morrison, Northeastern University; Katherine M. O'Regan, Yale University; Don Pickrell, U.S. Department of Transportation; John M. Quigley, University of California, Berkeley; Ian Savage, Northwestern University; and Kenneth A. Small, University of California Irvine.

This highway cost and revenue allocation study is the fourth of a recent Kentucky series begun in 1982. Experience gained with each study has resulted in subsequent refinements that have enlarged the data base, enhanced the accuracy, and simplified the study process. One of the long-term aims is to develop an easy-to-use process for continuously monitoring effects of changes in traffic patterns, in finance and tax policy, and in highway expenditures. The primary objective of the current study was to determine the 1989 levels of revenue contribution and cost responsibility for each of several classes of Kentucky highway users. As was the case in the two most recent prior studies, incremental cost assignment has been replaced with various highway use measures including vehicle-miles of travel, axle-miles, passenger-car-equivalent-miles, and equivalent-single-axle-load-miles. The analysis indicates that cost responsibility is borne most heavily by passenger cars and motorcycles (45.7%). Heavy trucks, those with gross weights of 60,000 pounds or more, were responsible for 23.2% of the cost. Pickups and other vehicles registered in the 6,000-pound category were responsible for 20.2% of the cost. Cost responsibility of all other user groups totaled 10.9%. Revenue collected from passenger cars and motorcycles fell approximately 2% short of their cost responsibility; heavy trucks contributed approximately 12% more than their responsibility. Without a temporary surcharge of 1.15 cents per mile on heavy truck operations, the revenue and cost responsibility would have been very nearly balanced for cars and light trucks, pickups and heavy trucks would have contributed slightly more revenue that their cost responsibilities, and medium trucks would have failed to meet their responsibility.

Provides a preliminary examination of whether shippers of domestic surface freight pay the full social costs of the services that they use. This study is intended not to provide definitive answers as to whether shippers pay their full social costs, but rather to determine the feasibility of making such estimates.