HCC Advantages and Disadvantages of Toll Roads for Driver Summary

This week we are going to examine substitute goods, highways and a bit about how we pay for highways.

Highway construction and maintenance are funded mainly by motor fuel taxes (the gasoline tax). There is a federal gasoline tax (an excise tax) which is 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel fuel. Then there are state taxes per gallon and, in some states, a sales tax as well as a gallonage tax. Since only those who have vehicles pay the motor fuel tax, it is also called a User Fee.

Which brings us to this week’s discussion topic: Toll Roads.

Assignment Summary:

1. Watch the video above.
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of toll roads for driver? Why might an individual prefer to pay a toll than to use a free road?
3. Are there other ways to pay for highways other than tolls or higher motor fuel taxes? (Oregon is researching an alternative user fee system, you may wish to search for that information.)
4. Are there environmental aspects to the use of toll roads versus free roads?
5. Post your views to the discussion board and refer to at least two different concepts from this week’s Chapters. Your illustration of concepts MUST include an explanation why you think they are relevant to the week’s topic using specific information from the articles, videos and other research that you have done.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU ADD SOMETHING NEW to the discussion.

1. Post on three different days for a minimum of three posts. Failure to meet these minimum posting requirements results in point loss.
   • Include a word count on each post. All of your posts should sum to a minimum of 500 words.
   • Each post submitted should be between 150 and 250 words. Keep them short, specific, and clear.
   • Use paragraphs as appropriate.
   • Very lengthy posts do not provide an incentive to be read.
   • Remember to document all use of sources by using citations and references. These should be in APA format.
2. PART 2

MIRANDA: I am from Oklahoma, home of the turnpike. Oklahoma has more than 600 miles of toll roads crisscrossing the state. It is nearly impossible to travel efficiently through Oklahoma and not touch a toll road. Oklahoma also has one of the lowest gas tax rates in the nation at just 19 cents per gallon. This is 16 cents lower than the national average. (Oklahoma Policy Institute, n.d.) Many people, myself included, choose to travel the turnpike systems in Oklahoma because the roads are far and beyond better maintained than the non-toll collecting state highways. This is largely relative to the low motor fuel tax. The state department of transportation simply does not have the funds necessary to maintain the state roads and bridges as they should. The speed limit on the turnpike system is also quite a bit higher than the other roads as well at 80mph and they are generally a more direct route to your destination. The increased speed and traveling a more direct route make the turnpike system a popular choice with Oklahomans as well as out of state travelers. Oregon began rolling out a pilot program completely different from the toll road system in 2015. As of 2019 the program has no limitation on the amount of program participants and offers incentives such as lower registration fees for high-mpg vehicle owners. (Oregon.gov, n.d.) This system varies from a traditional toll road. If you are not a resident of Oregon, you don’t participate, therefore you are not providing any funding to their road maintenance outside of the motor fuel tax you pay at the pump if you happen to stop for gas in the state. A toll road system collects fees from every user regardless of home state. I personally prefer toll roads. Is it annoying to have to stop at a toll booth, absolutely, but the benefits far outweigh the minor nuisance of the toll and lost time. The roads are typically much better maintained, have higher speed limits, and provide a much more direct route.

ERIKA: Toll roads can be described as highways or sections on the highways where users pay fees for the upkeep and maintenance of the road while they keep driving. They are much less congested and faster routes common in the United States and mainland Europe but quite rare in the United Kingdom. They are essential roads that ensure free flow when traffic as they apply technologies that eliminate delays (Scott, 2015). The toll roads allow vehicles to go at speeds that are efficient when it comes to fuel. When it comes to economic purposes, toll roads are uniquely suited to collect efficient prices on the usage of the roads. The main limitation, particularly to the drivers, lies in the fees charged so that one can get access to the services. An individual might prefer paying a toll to use a free road because the technological innovations applied to the former ensures that there is free traffic. Toll roads also promotes an increase in the fuel economy, thus saving the commuter’s money and time. The upkeep for the bridges and roads used by commuters is gotten from the fees charged by gassing up the car. However, such charges have proven to be less as far as funding highways are concerned. An alternative to address the issue can be Oregon’s model, which involves replacing the gas tax with 1.5 percent in a given mile road charge (Hall, 2015). The commuters will be required to install a mileage reporting machine in their vehicles which are wireless. At the end of each month, the user receives a refund or bill check depending on whether they have used more or less what they had given at the pump. That is a great alternative since federal and state gas taxes are the main sources of funding when it comes to maintaining and building public bridges and roads. Toll roads are environmentally friendly as they help reduce volumes of hazardous emissions and transportation costs.