Another state pursuing road-use highway funding system

The state of Oregon passed the first bill in the United States establishing a road use charge system for transportation funding last year. Now, the state of Washington is attempting to follow in its neighbor’s footsteps.

According to KING 5 News, the Washington State Transportation Commission is expected to approve a pilot project that’s designed to charge drivers for every mile they travel on public roads. A road use charge would eventually replace the Washington state gas tax that has reportedly been bringing in less revenue in recent years because of the increase in electric and hybrid vehicles on the road.

GPS devices would track miles driven, and charges would be delivered based on that data. The pilot project is expected to begin in 2016. Full implementation would not begin until 2018, King 5 News reports.

In addition, four options would be available to Washington drivers. Drivers could be charged a flat fee that gives them limitless miles on the road. They could also have a GPS installed in their vehicle, download a smartphone app or report their odometer readings to the state.