2000 highway cost allocation update.

Abstract

This update of the highway cost allocation study is the ninth in a recent series that began in the early 1980s by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Kentucky Transportation Center. The primary objectives are to determine the level of revenue contribution and cost responsibility for each class of highway user. The base year of this study is FY 1999, the most recent time period for which revenue and cost data are available. Highway user or travel activity for calendar year 1998 is the most recent available. A basic premise of the study is that only state maintained highways are of interest in recouping the costs expended to construct and maintain the system. In 1998, this system comprised 27,415 miles of the 73,360 miles of roads and streets in Kentucky, while accommodating 84% of all travel in the state. There are 17 highway user classes with which revenue contribution and cost responsibility are associated. Primary sources of revenue include fuel taxes, registration fees, usage taxes, tolls, and other motor carrier and federal taxes and fees. Primary expenditure categories include construction (subdivided into 6 categories), maintenance and traffic, administration, and enforcement. Construction is subdivided into planning and design; right of way; utility relocation; grade, drain, and surfacing; resurfacing; bridges; and miscellaneous. Results from the analysis indicate that cost responsibility is borne most heavily by cars and motorcycles with 44.06%; followed by heavy trucks with gross weights of 60,000 lb or more at 27.06%. Pickups and other vehicles registered in the 6,000 lb category are responsible for 21.63% of the cost. The ratio of percentage revenue attributed to percentage cost allocated was also determined in the study. A ratio of one indicates that the revenue and cost percentages are in balance for a particular vehicle type. Cars (0.98), buses (0.86), and heavy trucks (0.90) contribute less revenue than their cost responsibility dictates.