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Information on the legislation that introduced the statewide tolling feasibility study, full timeline and details, and frequently asked questions.
The Michigan Legislature required MDOT to conduct a tolling feasibility study
P.A. 140 of 2020 (July 8, 2020) required MDOT tohire a consultant to prepare a tolling and managed lanes feasibility study and strategic implementation plan for the state of Michigan. Working with HNTB and CDM Smith, MDOT is conducting a Michigan Tolling Feasibility Study that considers the following:
- Evaluate the economic impact and feasibility
- Consideration of a discount program
- Impact on out-of-state operators
- Applicability for federal tolling programs
- Optimal toll rates
- Identification of required tolling rules
- Long-term financing opportunities
- Identification of candidate corridors
- Identify ways to maximize use of Michigan workers and products
Michigan tolling feasibility study
Step 1
Feasibility Study
The feasibility study will determine if tolling makes sense and identify the most promising corridors from Michigan's 31 limited-access corridors.
- Complete initial traffic and revenue evaluation
- Analyze the corridors using Michigan-specific data (I.e., road and bridge conditions, speed and travel reliability, and socioeconomic data)
- Conduct screening to identify the most promising corridors
Step 1
Step 2
Implementation Plan
Complete the following for the most promising candidate corridors:
- Assess the feasibility of federal tolling programs
- Refined traffic and revenue evaluation, and establish toll rates and impacts
- Establish equity and discount programs
- Complete economic and environmental analyses
- Explore financing opportunities
- Set policy and rules
- Finalize projects and schedules
Step 3
Final Recommendations
No later than July 2022
Step 3
Frequently asked questions
What is a toll?
A toll is a fee charged for using a particular roadway, bridge, or tunnel that is designated to have a toll.
What is toll revenue?
What is a tolling feasibility study?
Why study tolls as an alternative funding mechanism?
Why isn't the federal motor fuel tax enough to fund road improvements?
Will the study look at equity and discount programs for low-income populations, seniors, or other groups?
What other states have toll revenue?
How do tolls currently contribute to transportation funding nationally?
Does Michigan already have any toll roads?
Will establishing toll roads encourage drivers to use non-toll roads through neighborhoods as an alternative to paying tolls?
What is a transponder?
What’s interoperability?
Does my car have the technology to use tolling?
Will this study evaluate alternatives to tolling to collect revenue, such as vehicle miles traveled road user charges or collecting user fees using in-vehicle technology or connected autonomous vehicle technology?
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