A Guide to Transportation Funding Options

It is a known fact that federal, state and local governments are struggling to meet the transportation needs of people and goods. The reluctance to increase taxes at all levels combined with the declining purchasing power of those revenues and the increased costs for all modes of transportation have required that all funding options and opportunities be explored. This web site is designed to serve as a resource to decision-makers. It simply and clearly spells out the options that are available across all modes and all levels of government. It is meant to be a quick reference.

Surface Transportation

The term surface transportation encompasses many things, including:

Each of these modes does and should interact with each other. This interaction enables people and goods to move throughout the country in a manner that appears seamless to the average user. By contrast, the funding of the various components is often very compartmentalized. To meet the demands for the 21st century, it may be necessary to "re-adjust" the current thinking about transportation funding.

Phase I of this web-based Guide details funding options for highways. Future phases will review funding options for other surface systems.

Your Contributions Invited

This Guide is intended to be dynamic and expandable, and we welcome your contributions of content and links, as well as your feedback on the utility of this site. Submit content or comments to:

Tina Geiselbrecht
Associate Transportation Researcher
System Planning, Policy and Environment Research Group
Texas Transportation Institute
Texas A&M University System
1106 Clayton Lane, Suite 300E
Austin, TX 78723
(512) 467-0946
t-geiselbrecht@tamu.edu
Brief bio