Who Pays and Who Benefits From Toll System Revenue?

Nearly half of toll revenue is diverted for uses other than transportation and transportation infrastructure, according to research by the American Transportation Research Institute.

The new research documents the collection and distribution of $14.7 billion in U.S. toll revenue, representing 82% of U.S. toll collections. The study examines how much toll revenue is generated versus reinvested in toll facilities, and contrasts truck-generated toll revenue versus truck utilization of toll roads, the Institute said.

Researchers collected public financial data from Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFR) published by toll systems, and attempted to standardize financial comparisons across systems. Key metrics included toll facility charges by user type, toll facility expenditures and toll revenue diversion to non-toll entities.

ATRI’s research found that the 21 major toll systems analyzed collected more than $14.7 billion in revenue with nearly 50% of toll revenue diverted to other uses. In addition, toll revenue increased more than 72% over the last decade compared to inflation growth of just 16.9%. 

The report includes data analysis to better understand the relationship between interstate commerce and toll road utilization. Through an analysis of truck GPS data, the researchers were able to quantify toll revenue impacts on local truck activity versus interstate commerce.

“It is clear from this research that highway funding mechanisms that return our tax investments to highways are far superior to tolling,” said Darren Hawkins, YRC Worldwide Chief Executive Officer. “We need greater oversight and transparency to ensure that the billions of dollars paid by our industry goes back into the roads and bridges that generate the revenue.”

Download the report – A Financial Analysis of Toll System Revenue: Who Pays & Who Benefits – from ATRI’s website at TruckingResearch.org.

ATRI, Arlington, Va., is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit research organization. It is engaged in research relating to freight transportation’s role in maintaining a safe, secure and efficient transportation system.