Now we're here for the main event! The #utleg's Interim Transportation Committee is talking about "Road Usage Charges." Buckle up, kids. This is going to get... interesting. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

. @UtahDOT is experimenting with the idea of "road usage charges" for electric and hybrid vehicles. You can either pay a flat fee (like $120 a year) or 1.5 cents per mile.

Since it launched in January, there's 2,000 active participants. Majority are gas hybrids. @fox13 #utpol

How many eligible vehicles are there? @UtahDOT says 55,000. They will eventually be forced onto the program by 2031.

Rep. Christofferson asks about personal info? Data is anonymized. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

Data is also not given to 3rd parties, @UtahDOT says.

@marshajudkins signed up and says she's getting emails "evaluating" her driving (speed, braking, etc.).

"It just had this whole breakdown of my driving... it make me a little bit nervous about the whole thing." #utpol

Sen. Harper got the same thing from the app. @UtahDOT says the goal is to "let you make safer decisions in the future."

@marshajudkins asks if the data goes anywhere? It's not tracked, @UtahDOT says. It's a "value added service." @fox13 #utpol #Utah

. @adamerobertson asks about when they go to an "all-in" and would it be voluntary or mandatory? @UtahDOT says that's up to the #utleg.

What prevents Utah from speeding up enrollment? Statute dictates, @CarlosUDOT says. So, the #utleg is preventing it. @fox13 #utpol

. @CarlosUDOT says it would be a big undertaking to push everyone onto this "road usage charge" system.

@adamerobertson says this is a potential to fund transportation in the future. He asks what rate should they seek a charge? Unknown right now. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

Bottom line, kids: Gas tax (which is 65.5 cents a gallon) is declining as people buy more fuel efficient (and more electric/hybrid) cars.

THIS is the new funding source for roads, etc. that the state is looking at. And they're looking at YOU. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

More Utahns are actually buying into user-based fees. And this will only grow as people increasingly buy electric/hybrid cars.

And the issue remains: Gas tax pays for roads, but if a car doesn't use gas? Do they get to use those roads for free? @fox13 #utpol #Utah

Sen. Harper signals road user charges are the future. Nine months into the program, @UtahDOT reports a 4% adoption rate.

That's "phenomenal," he says. This is a path to paying for roads for ALL, Sen. Harper suggests. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

Now, there's talk about "managed lanes" which includes flex lanes, HOV lanes, bus lanes, ramp metering and toll roads.

@UtahDOT is updating its report which is due in early 2021. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

Utah has 144 lane miles of "Express lanes" with plans to add 20 more lane miles in Davis/Weber counties.

BTW, HOV tolls took a DIVE in April 2020 (the impact of #COVID19) when a lot of people stayed home.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah

. @UtahDOT does expect that fund to recover. HOV lanes have been successful in reducing congestion, encouraging carpools. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

. @marshajudkins (who commutes from Provo) says she's seen HOV lanes just as full as the rest of the freeway and wonders why they don't limit passes?

@CarlosUDOT says they do try to encourage carpool. Driving alone comes with a fee and toll likely to go up. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

Sen. Harper thanks @UtahDOT for the presentation.

Basically, this is a sign of things to come as lawmakers try to pay for road repairs for all cars, while some don't actually pay for it (right now). @fox13 #utpol #Utah