Why Congress' refusal to act since 1993 is costing taxpayers over $40 billion a year | Fortune

"The United States moves nearly $18 trillion worth of goods annually, the vast majority of it via truck or rail. While a well-functioning freight transportation system is essential for the American economy, federal policy has created a massive economic distortion that costs taxpayers tens of billions of dollars annually while making our roads more dangerous, more congested, and contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The problem stems from a fundamental inequality in how America funds freight transportation infrastructure."

"Railroads privately own and maintain virtually all of the U.S.'s 140,000 miles of track and invest over $23 billion annually -nearly $170,000 per track mile-to maintain it, which makes rail one of the most capital-intensive industries in the country. However, trucking operates on 4 million miles of public highways, and here's where the economics become problematic. When the government created the interstate highway system, it intended for the gas and diesel fuel tax to pay for the cost of the damage trucks inflict on public roads, but these days the revenue it generates doesn't come close to doing that."

Nearly $18 trillion in goods move annually, mostly by truck or rail. Federal policy creates a large economic distortion that costs taxpayers tens of billions each year while worsening road safety, congestion, and greenhouse gas emissions. Railroads privately own about 140,000 miles of track and invest over $23 billion annually—roughly $170,000 per track mile—making rail highly capital-intensive. Trucks operate on roughly 4 million miles of public highways. The federal gas and diesel tax, frozen at 22 cents per gallon since 1993, no longer covers truck-caused road damage. Governments spend $250 billion on roads; trucks account for 40% of maintenance costs, yet fuel taxes cover only about 80% of expenses, prompting more than $40 billion in general-fund transfers to the Highway Trust Fund, including about $10 billion effectively subsidizing trucking.

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