Road Usage Charge Assessment
In 2012, the Legislature directed the Transportation Commission, in close cooperation with WSDOT and with guidance from a multi-stakeholder steering committee, to conduct an assessment of Road Usage Charging and determine if it is feasible. Road Usage Charging (RUC) is the notion of charging users of the road system a per mile charge, as opposed to our current system in which we pay for our roads via a gas tax that is assessed on a per gallon basis at the time we purchase our fuel.
For more information on the Road Usage Charging Assessment and Steering Committee, please visit Washington Road Usage Charge
This FACT sheet provides information on how a road usage charge might work in Washington State Just the FACTS on Road Usage Charges (pdf 251kb)
The American Public Works Association published this article in their July national magazine. It is authored by the WSTC Executive Director and presents a discussion on the future sustainability of the gas tax and why a Road Usage Charge may be its replacement.
2016 Results
In January 2016 the Commission submitted the Washington State Road Usage Charge Assessment - Phase 4 final report to the Governor and Legislature. The report summarizes the work and analyses that was conducted during 2015. For details on the findings and recommendations, please refer to the full report below. Also provided below is the Appendices to the report.
2016 Road Usage Charge Assessment - Phase 4 Final Report (pdf 1.5mb)
Report Appendices - Phase 4 Final Report (1mb)
A summary presentation presented to the Legislature in January 2016, reporting key findings and recommendations is provided below:
Summary Presentation on final 2016 RUC Report (pdf 1.5mb)
A high level pamphlet on the RUC study is provided below:
2016 Road Usage Charge Pamphlet (pdf 696kb)
2015 Results
In December 2014 the Commission finalized the Washington State Road Usage Charge Assessment - Phase 3 final report to the Governor and Legislature. The report summarizes the work and analyses that was conducted during 2014. This work largely focused on developing a concept of operations, which is the first step in a systems engineering process. It describes all major aspects of the RUC system and user interactions at a high level.
2015 Road Usage Charge Assessment - Phase 3 Final Report (pdf 1.66mb)
Concept of Operations (pdf 1.6mb)
Treasurer's report on Road Usage Charge (pdf 515kb)
Western Road Usage Charge Consortium Report (pdf 588kb)
Urban Rural Report (pdf 1.9mb)
A summary presentation of key finding and recommendations of the 2015 Final Report is provided below:
Summary presentation on final 2015 report (pdf 1.55mb)
A high level pamphlet on the RUC study is provided below:
2015 Road Usage Charge Pamphlet (pdf 278kb)
2014 Results
In December 2013 the Commission finalized the Washington State Road Usage Charge Assessment final report to the Governor and Legislature. The report presents the results of a business case analysis conducted in 2013, which assessed the risks, costs and net revenues of a road usage charge system. The findings will assist in the determination of whether or not a RUC makes sense for Washington State.
2014 Road Usage Charge Business Case Evaluation Report to the Governor and Legislature (pdf 11mb)
A summary presentation of key findings and recommendations of the 2014 report is provided below:
Summary Presentation on 2014 Report (pdf 2.4mb)
A high level pamphlet on the RUC study is provided below:
2014 Road Usage Charge Pamphlet (pdf 1.8mb)
2013 Results
In December 2012 the Commission finalized the Washington State Road Usage Assessment final report to the Governor and the Legislature. The Commission and its Steering Committee spent 2012 evaluating key policy issues, possible operational concepts, whether there was a business case to be made (as compared to the gas tax), and identified implementation issues and risks.
2013 Road Usage Charge Assessment Report to Legislature and Governor (pdf 6.8mb)