Report to the General Assembly (Published)

Document Title

Vehicle Cost Responsibility

Author

Department of Transportation

Enabling Authority

SJR 238 (1991)

Executive Summary

The General Assembly, through Senate Joint Resolution 238 (SJR 238), required the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to "...continue its study of vehicle cost responsibility and include an analysis of the effect of traffic levels on pavement performance, an evaluation of the use deterioration models, and a proposal for periodic review of vehicle cost responsibility on a ten-year cycle." In addition, the Department was asked to evaluate the tax increases proposed in Senate Bill 895 (SB 895), introduced during the 1991 Session, with respect to cost allocation equity, and determine the effects of a tax increase on the industry.

SJR 238 is a continuation of the study mandated by Senate Joint Resolution 121 (SJR 121) in 1989. Senate Document 26 of the 1991 Session is the product of the Vehicle Cost Responsibility Study and should be considered the source document for SJR 238. As such, it may be helpful to refer to Senate Document 26 for further history and background on cost responsibility, as well as the details from that study.

Overall study direction was provided by the Office of Policy Analysis, Evaluation and Intergovernmental Relations. This study was conducted by a team composed of staff from the Office of Policy Analysis, Transportation Research Council, Maintenance and Traffic Engineering Divisions, the State Corporation Commission (SCC), and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The methodology was reviewed by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) as mandated by SJR 238.

To obtain continuing input from the public, the study was announced in Virginia newspapers, and meetings with both the general public and various interest groups were held.