Midwest Road Usage Charge (RUC) Study

Funding the Future of Kansas Transportation

As the market for fuel-efficient vehicles and electric vehicles grows, KDOT is proactively studying how funding for Kansas transportation can be maintained for the future. Today, Kansas state roads and bridges are funded primarily by motor fuel tax (also called gas tax) revenues. With Kansans driving more fuel-efficient and alternative fuel vehicles, people are purchasing less gas, resulting in less money from motor fuel taxes dedicated to maintaining the Kansas transportation system. This shift impacts how Kansas gets its funding for transportation.

To learn more about KDOT’s exploration to fund the future of Kansas transportation, visit https://bit.ly/3LCTkFY

Midwestern Values & Local Feedback to Shape Midwest Road Usage Charge (RUC) Study

User-centered Research Underway

The next step in this project launched in July, focusing on research and analysis. KDOT’s research team conducted a series of one-on-one research sessions with Kansans earlier this fall. These sessions allowed the research team to explore opinions and perspectives on the transportation system. The insights learned from this research will be used to develop a RUC pilot project based on the needs and values of Kansans. The one-on-one research sessions included both urban and rural participants as well as participants from the agriculture and commercial trucking industries.

This study focuses on identifying how a RUC system that reflects unique Midwestern needs could help fund transportation investments. The study is being supported by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and coordinated with the Minnesota DOT to expand the pilot’s reach.

What is RUC?

A road usage charge, or RUC, is a policy whereby drivers pay to use the road based on miles driven. It is sometimes referred to as vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fees or a mileage-based user fee (MBUF).

Why is it important?

Our state roads and bridges are funded primarily by motor fuel tax revenues, the taxes we pay at the pump. This funding continues to decline with the increased number of electrics and as people drive fewer miles. A recent KDOT study indicates that by 2045, our transportation system could rely on sales taxes for 60% of revenue, which is not likely to be sustainable. This is a nationwide issue, but to date, the discussion on how a RUC could work has been primarily led by research on the East and West Coasts. KDOT’s RUC Study is the first major pilot to bring a local, Midwest perspective to this important discussion.

Kansas is the first DOT to engage drivers to help design the RUC pilot—helping ensure we consider what matters most to the people who use our state’s roads and bridges. The study will be done in three phases. The current phase is seeking volunteers to engage in activities and provide feedback that will inform what the RUC pilot looks like. For instance, drivers may record mileage, and cost to drive per mile would be calculated and compared to the cost of what the driver would have paid in gas tax.