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Symposium on Mileage-Based User Fees:
Preliminary Program

[Updated March 17, 2009]

Day 1 (Full Day) Tuesday, April 14, 2009
 
8:00 - 10:30 Welcome and opening remarks
Overview of Symposium
Ginger Goodin, Texas Transportation Institute

U.S. Pilot Projects
  • Oregon Road User Fee Pilot Project
    James Whitty, Oregon Department of Transportation
  • Puget Sound Traffic Choices Study
    Matthew Kitchen, Puget Sound Regional Council
  • National Road User Charge Study
    Jon Kuhl, University of Iowa
International Applications
  • Germany
    Andreas Kossak, Andreas Kossak Research & Consulting
10:30 - 10:45 Break
10:45 - 11:30 Federal Perspective
Jim March, Federal Highway Administration, US Department of Transportation
11:30 - 12:30 Lunch
Adrian Moore, Reason Foundation, National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission
1:00 - 2:00 Institutional Issues
This panel will discuss the institutional issues surrounding a transition from the fuel tax towards a mileage based user fee system as the primary means of funding transportation programs in the US. Among the many topics that will be discussed: role of state and federal government, collection and distribution of funds, and phased implementation approaches.

MODERATOR: Katherine Turnbull, Texas Transportation Institute
PANELISTS:
  • James Whitty, Oregon Department of Transportation
  • Ed Regan, Wilbur Smith Associates
  • Jerry Dike, Past International Board Chair, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
2:00 - 3:00 Public Acceptance
This panel will feature individuals representing mileage-based user fee projects and research efforts who will discuss the public acceptance issues. The panel will discuss ways of addressing public concerns with regards to mileage-based user fees and outline potential strategies for public education.

MODERATOR: Paul Hanley, University of Iowa
PANELISTS:
  • Kenneth Buckeye, Minnesota Department of Transportation
  • Matthew Kitchen, Puget Sound Regional Council
  • Richard Trey Baker, Texas Transportation Institute
3:00 - 3:15 Break
3:15 - 4:30 Technology Applications
This panel will discuss the various technology options available for future mileage-based user fee deployment. The systems discussed will include technologies for mileage tabulation and fee transmission and the relationship between policy objectives and technological configurations.

MODERATOR: Kevin Balke, Texas Transportation Institute
PANELISTS:
  • Jon Kuhl, University of Iowa
  • Scott Andrews, Cogenia Partners, LLC
  • Ray Starr, Minnesota Department of Transportation
  • Glenn Deitiker, Telvent Caseta, Inc.
4:30 - 5:30 State and Local Perspectives
This panel will allow local, state and national representatives to discuss their perspectives on the role of mileage-based user fees in addressing future transportation challenges as well as upcoming federal program reauthorizations.

MODERATOR: Steve Simmons, Texas Department of Transportation
PANELISTS:
  • John Cloutier, Northeast Texas Regional Mobility Authority
  • Joe Cantalupo, Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
  • The Honorable Linda Harper-Brown, Texas State Representative, District 105
6:00 - 7:00 Reception
 
Day 2 (Half Day) Wednesday, April 15, 2009
 
8:00 - 9:30 Stakeholder Perspectives
This panel will afford representatives of various stakeholder groups an opportunity to provide symposium attendees with their perspectives on mileage-based user fees.

MODERATOR: Lee Munnich, Herbert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Policy
PANELISTS:
  • Jack Basso, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
  • Darrin Roth, American Trucking Association
  • Anne O'Ryan, American Automobile Association - Texas
  • Michael Replogle, Environmental Defense Fund
9:30 - 9:45 Break
9:45 - 11:45 The Path Forward
Robert Johns, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota
Katherine Turnbull, Texas Transportation Institute

This will be an interactive discussion session with symposium participants focusing on implementation direction and specific areas for research, development and demonstration:
  • What are the greatest challenges or barriers to transitioning from the fuel tax to a per-mile fee?
  • What would the transition look like and who would lead?
  • What additional research, testing and demonstration are needed?
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch
Recap of Major Themes of the Symposium
David Ungemah, Texas Transportation Institute
1:00 Adjourn

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