Oklahoma Fair Miles Program

With the potential to help shape the future of the state’s transportation funding, the Oklahoma Fair Miles program looks to assess the feasibility of collecting per-mile road user charge fees as an alternative to the current system of taxing highway use through motor vehicle fuel taxes.

Supporting the legislatively mandated Oklahoma Road User Charge Task Force since its conception, HNTB initially assisted the Oklahoma Department of Transportation with a grant application to secure federal funding for the program. Serving as program manager, HNTB worked to help launch a six-month, pay-per-mile pilot.

The pilot recruited more than 300 volunteers who reported their mileage driven in Oklahoma. Using a monthly statement, these drivers could compare what they would hypothetically pay per mile under a road user charging system to what they are currently paying in traditional fuel taxes at the pump.

In addition to this pilot, HNTB also helped ODOT evaluate the potential impacts and opportunities of a conversion to road user charging for the 39 tribal nations—who currently receive a percentage of the fuel tax in Oklahoma. The firm also assesses possible methods of applying road user charges to out-of-state vehicles traveling through the state.

Upon completion of the program, HNTB helped ODOT prepare a comprehensive report for state lawmakers to describe the results and lessons learned for future policy decisions that are aimed to keep roads and bridges safe and reliable for all drivers in the state.

Understanding the needs of every stakeholder

In the video below, HNTB Toll Practice Consultant Kary Witt describes the unique considerations for the State of Oklahoma and the importance of understanding the unique needs and values of these programs’ most critical stakeholders: the communities.