Bridging the Communications Gap in Understanding Road Usage Charges

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U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Operations
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
ops.fhwa.dot.gov

FHWA-HOP-20-008

July 2020

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Table of Contents

Foreword | Technical Report Documentation Page | List of Acronyms

Executive Summary

Chapter 1. Introduction

Focus on Communication and Outreach

Data Collection

Limitations of the Study

Report Organization

Chapter 2. Communication Framework

Audience

Messengers

Messaging Strategy

Information Content

Communication Methods

Chapter 3. Commuications Strategy and Approach

Limited Focus

Stakeholder Focus

General Public Focus

Reactive Communications

Comprehensive Commuications Plan

Lessons Learned

Chapter 4. Message Content

Message Components Addressed in Pilots

Lessons Learned Based on Interviews with Surface Transportation System Funding Alternatives Pilot Partner States

Chapter 5. Communication Media

Web Page

Social Media

Paid Advertising

News Media

Personal Contact

Lessons Learned

Chapter 6. Conclusions

A Detailed Plan

A Comprehensive Approach

Careful and Consistent Messaging

Multiple Media

Appendix A. Project Lead Contact Information and Project Summaries for State Pilots Funded by Surface Transportation System Funding Alternatives Grants

California Department of Transportation

Colorado Department of Transportation

Delaware Department of Transportation/I-95 Corridor Coalition

Hawaii Department of Transportation

Minnesota Department of Transportation

Missouri Department of Transportation

New Hampshire Department of Transportation

Oregon Department of Transportation

Oregon Department of Transportation (RUC West)

Utah Department of Transportation

Washington State Transportation Commission

Appendix B. Methodology and Data Collection Questions Used for State Pilot Interviews

References

Descriptions of State/Region Pilot Communication Programs

Communications Program: Utah

Communications Program: Washington

Communications Program: Oregon/Western Road Usage Charge Consortium

Communications Program: Oregon

Communications Program: Minnesota

Communications Program: Delaware (I-95 Corridor Coalition)

List of Figures

Figure 1. Chart. Number of State pilots addressing each of the ten road usage charge questions as part of their communications message.

Figure 2. Chart. Total number of State pilots using each communication medium.

Figure 3. Chart. Number of Surface Transportation System Funding Alternatives funded pilot States using each of the 13 Web page features.

List of Tables

Table 1. Description and award amounts of the Surface Transportation System Funding Alternatives Program grants to States.

Table 2. Ten common questions about road usage charges and whether they were addressed in Surface Transportation System Funding Alternatives funded State pilots.

Table 3. Communication media used by each Surface Transportation System Funding Alternatives funded State pilot.

Table 4. List of 13 different Web page features used by each Surface Transportation System Funding Alternatives funded State pilot.