Asha Weinstein Agrawal, PhDHilary Nixon, PhDMTI Project 2928June 2010

This research brief summarizes the results of anational random-digit-dial survey that exploredpublic support for raising federal transporta-tion revenues through gas, mileage, and salestaxes.

Study Method

A random-digit-dial survey conducted from April 27 to May 22, 2010, tested public support for sales, gas, and mileage taxes that would raise revenue for transportation purposes. Multiplevariations on the mileage tax and gas tax concepts were presented, to test relative support levelsamong the different options. A total of 1,545 adults (18 years or older) completed the survey ineither English or Spanish. For the full sample, which included both land-line and cell-phone num-bers, the margin of error was plus or minus 2.5 percentage points at the 95% condence level.

Findings

Figure 1 shows support levels for the tax options tested. None received majority support, butthree did fairly well, with support levels around 40%. The most popular were a 0.5¢ sales tax

What Do Americans Think about FederalTransportation Tax Options?Results from a National Survey

Linking a transportation tax toenvironmental benefts cansignifcantly increase public support.

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Mileage tax: flat rate of 1¢ per mileGas tax: 10¢ increaseGas tax: 2¢ increase per year, for 5 years0.5¢ sales tax

Respondent support (%)

Gas tax: 10¢ increase with revenue spent toreduce local air pollutionGas tax: 10¢ increase with informationabout average driver’s annual costsMileage tax: rate varies by vehicle’s

pollution level (average 1¢ per mile)Gas tax: 10¢ increase with revenue dedicatedto transportation projects to reduce global warming