Richard Tremain Baker

Baker, Trey

Assistant Research Scientist

Mobility Management
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
505 East Huntland Drive, Suite 455
Austin, TX 78752
ph. (512) 467-0946 Ext. 12113
R-Baker@ttimail.tamu.edu

Short Biography

Mr. Baker began working in the Austin Office of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute in September of 2006 after receiving his Master of Public Service and Administration degree from Texas A&M University. During his graduate studies Mr. Baker served as a graduate assistant researcher. Mr. Baker also holds a bachelors degree in political science from Texas A&M University.

Since joining TTI Mr. Baker has worked extensively on researching mileage and VMT-based revenue generating mechanisms. In 2008 he conducted research into public attitudes and perceptions regarding mileage-based user fees and helped develop a framework for implementing a mileage-based user fee in a rural and small urban setting. This effort involved continual interaction with a 16 member community advisory committee, several stakeholder interviews, and two focus groups. Mr. Baker is currently involved in research examining the institutional issues surrounding a transition away from the fuel tax and to mileage based transportation financing mechanisms. This includes an examination of various user fee frameworks in place throughout the United States, their legal arrangements and their taxation assessment and collections protocols. Mr. Baker is also in the process of developing a model for estimating future mileage-based user fee revenues at the state level that allows for various administrative and pricing related variables to be incorporated.

Mr. Baker has also worked on several other pricing related research projects. He recently completed work on research to evaluate the potential of various incentives to induce large commercial trucks to utilize a tolled bypass in the Austin Texas area. Mr. Baker has also analyzed customer surveys for the Loop 49 toll facility in Tyler, Texas and the Interstate 30 Managed HOV Lanes in Dallas and Tarrant Counties, Texas. In 2007 Mr. Baker conducted an analysis of the potential for congestion pricing to be implemented and reduce wait times at El Paso area commercial border crossings and in 2008 he has worked with the New York City Department of Transportation in developing screening criteria to determine appropriate management strategies, including pricing, for various New York City corridors.

Mr. Baker has worked on several public outreach projects. Mr. Baker was involved in the development of materials for an open house conducted in the Austin area regarding managed lanes and has assisted in numerous focus groups related to public perceptions of managed lanes in Texas. He has also conducted research regarding equity and environmental justice issues associated with various managed lanes projects in operation and under development across the U.S.

Education

  • M.P.S.A., Political Science, Texas A&M University.
  • B.S., Political Science, Texas A&M University.

Experience

  • Assistant Research Scientist, Mobility Management, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, September 2012 - Present.
  • Associate Transportation Researcher, Mobility Management, Texas Transportation Institute, September 2009 - August 2012.
  • Assistant Transportation Researcher, Austin Office, Texas Transportation Institute, September 2006 - August 2009.
  • Graduate Assistant Researcher, George H.W. Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, 2004 - 2005.

Selected Publications

V.D. Goodin, R.T. Baker. Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Fees Study. 0-6660-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2011.

R.T. Baker, V.D. Goodin, J.C. Pourteau. Is Texas Ready for Mileage Fees? A Briefing Paper. 0-6660-P1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. February 2011.

R.T. Baker, L. Ding, J. Epps, C.K. Estakhri, G. Fry, T.S. Geiselbrecht, V.D. Goodin, J.G. Hudson, T.J. Lomax, C.A. Morgan, J.P. Orsak, D.L. Schrank, T. Scullion, W.R. Stockton, S.P. Venglar, J.C. Villa, B.A. Wood, D.M. Winterich, R.E. Lee, J. Zietsman. TxDOT Administration Research: Tasks Completed FY2010. 0-6581-TI-2. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. February 2011.

R.T. Baker, V.D. Goodin. Exploratory Study: Vehicle Mileage Fees in Texas. 0-6660-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. January 2011.

L. Zhou, M.W. Burris, R.T. Baker, T.S. Geiselbrecht. The Impact of Incentives on Toll Road Use by Trucks. Transportation Research Board 88th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers. Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC. 2009.

L. Zhou, M.W. Burris, R.T. Baker, T.S. Geiselbrecht. Impact of Incentives on Toll Road Use by Trucks. Transportation Research Record, Vol. 2115, 2009, pp. 84-93.

V.D. Goodin, R.T. Baker. Mileage-Based User Fees: The Path Forward - Report on Closing Discussion Session. University Transportation Center for Mobility, Texas Transportation Institute. 2009.

V.D. Goodin, R.T. Baker, L. Taylor. Mileage-Based User Fees - Defining a Path toward Implementation: Phase2: An Assessment of Institutional Issues. UTCM 09-39-07. University Transportation Center for Mobility, Texas Transportation Institute. November 2009.

R.T. Baker, V.D. Goodin. Mileage-Based User Fees- Defining a Path Toward Implementation: Phase I: Identifying a Research Strategy. UTCM 09-00-16. University Transportation Center for Mobility, Texas Transportation Institute. November 2009.

M.S. Bomberg, R.T. Baker, V.D. Goodin. Mileage-Based User Fees - Defining a Path toward Implementation: Phase 2: An Assessment of Technology Issues. UTCM 09-39-07. University Transportation Center for Mobility, Texas Transportation Institute. October 2009.

R.T. Baker. Feeding the Hungry Odometer. Transportation Management and Engineering, Vol. 14, No. 3, July 2009, pp. 5-8.

R.T. Baker, V.D. Goodin, E.W. Lindquist, D. Shoemaker. Feasibility of Mileage-Based User Fees: Application in Rural/Small Urban Areas of Northeast Texas. UTCM 08-11-06. University Transportation Center for Mobility, Texas Transportation Institute. October 2008.

T.S. Geiselbrecht, M.W. Burris, R.T. Baker, L. Zhou, M.S. Waltman, J.L. Montes Velarde. State Highway 130 Value Pricing Project for the Austin District (Unpublished). October 2008.

R.T. Baker, D.H. Ungemah, V.D. Goodin, T.S. Geiselbrecht. Moving Beyond Lexus Lanes: Equity Considerations for Managed Lanes. 87th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers. Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC. January 2008.

T.S. Geiselbrecht, R.T. Baker, C.M. Dusza. El Paso Mobility Focus Group Technical Memorandum. Texas Department of Transportation - El Paso District, El Paso, TX. October 2007.