Past Pilot Research
RUC EXPLORATIONS
With guidance from the state legislature, the Washington State Transportation Commission began exploration of RUC in 2012.
In 2018 and 2019, the WA RUC Pilot Program conducted a statewide pilot with over 2,000 drivers. This pilot was an important step in understanding if and how a RUC would work in Washington and how it would impact drivers.
Watch the video:
WHO WERE OUR PARTICIPANTS?
- During the year-long pilot, participant drivers representing diverse backgrounds (gender, race/ethnicity, and household income), vehicle types, and geographic locations gave valuable input and insights into how the various mileage reporting practices worked for them.
- They informed us of the impact the RUC pilot had on their budgets and time. They also shared their advice to elected officials, supporting a gradual phase-in of a RUC program.
- That research informed a set of 16 recommendations from the Washington State Transportation Commission and WA RUC Steering Committee that laid the groundwork for a RUC transition in Washington.
The top concerns pilot participants shared:
- Privacy and data collection
- Compliance and administration costs
- Fairness and equity
- Travel between states
- Operational viability
TAKE A DEEPER DIVE
On January 13, 2020, the Commission transmitted their final report on how Washington can begin a transition away from the state gas tax and toward a road usage charge system to the Governor, State Legislature and the Federal Highway Administration.
