The Transportation Research Center provides 1 or 2 page policy briefs and project factsheets that summarize findings from our research and highlight implications for policy and practice.
Vermont Traffic Safety Toolbox Fact Sheet
Speeding on local and state-maintained town highways is a major contributor to traffic fatalities in Vermont. In 2018, over half of all fatal crashes on local and collector roadways were speeding-related. The Speed Countermeasures Toolbox developed by the TRC for the Vermont Agency of Transportation provides resources and guidance to small and rural communities to help them select and implement speeding countermeasures that will be both effective and appropriate for their needs.
Mileage Fees: An Equitable and Financially Viable Alternative to the Gas Tax
In the United States, mileage fees, or road user charges, are being explored as an alternative to motor fuel taxes, often called “gas taxes.” The search for alternatives is motivated by rising fuel efficiency standards and the increasing number of electric vehicles on the road. These factors have diminished the revenue-generating capacity of gas taxes. While mileage fees are a more stable and fuel-agnostic transportation funding source, they face criticism and low levels of public support due to concerns about costs, protection of drivers’ location and privacy, and perceptions that they would raise taxes on low-income and rural households.
Researchers from the University of Vermont Transportation Research Center used data from over 360,000 Vermont vehicles to assess the financial and equity impacts of replacing the Vermont state gas tax with a revenue-neutral mileage fee of 1.5 cents per mile. The researchers then surveyed 623 car drivers in northern New England and 2,114 drivers around the US, before and after offering them an educational experience about mileage fees. The educational experience included videos and quiz-style questions. It covered reasons for a switch to mileage fees, fairness across income and community types, and a personalized cost comparison between the gas tax and mileage fee, based on each respondent’s vehicle and travel information. This brief summarizes the findings from that research and provides implications for the field.
Evaluation of the Safety of Pedestrian Crossing Treatments in Small and Rural Communities
Rural areas often lack adequate pedestrian infrastructure, resulting in elevated safety risks for pedestrians. The combination of higher speed limits and reduced driver awareness amplifies the potential for pedestrian collisions when crossing the roadway.
This study addresses uncertainty about the effectiveness of rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) and LED-embedded signs (LESs) as potential safety interventions. RRFBs and LESs are both pedestrian crossing treatments that allow pedestrians to activate lights to alert drivers of their intent to cross. RRFBs include horizontal LED lights mounted to the sign pole, while LESs include LEDs embedded in the edge of the sign.
Mode Constrained Travel at UVM: Travel Preferences, Barriers, and Policy Implications
One of the objectives of the Chittenden Area Transportation Management Association (CATMA) is to encourage commuters to shift from driving to more sustainable travel modes such as walking, bicycling, and public transit. To understand barriers to switching to greener modes among UVM employees, we evaluated CATMA’s 2019 Transportation Survey to compare the modes that UVM employees currently use to the modes that they prefer to use. We also identify barriers to switching to preferred travel modes. The results show untapped potential for divesting from driving, with respondents citing several mitigatable barriers.