Road Charge Projects
Public/Private Roads Project
Are you a rural driver or member of a tribal community?
Or, do you have an existing FasTrak account?
Sign up to be considered for participation in the upcoming 6-month
Road Charge Pilot
and earn up to
$250 in incentives! **
Distinguishing between public and private roads
The Public/Private Roads Project will demonstrate the ability of current GPS technology to differentiate when a car is driving on a public versus a private road, while protecting the user’s privacy. Currently, when a driver is on a private road, they are still paying the gas tax even though no public money goes to the maintenance of that road. While there is a process to request refunds for the gas tax paid while driving on private roads, many Californians either don’t know or have the time to pursue the process. Could a road charge system create a simpler way to distinguish between public and private roads for travelers?
Engaging rural and tribal communities
While exploring the technical aspects of this pilot, this project aims to engage rural and tribal communities in a conversation about their communities’ priorities in a potential road charge system. These are unique communities that may have unique impacts, and understanding the issues, concerns, and opportunities the new concept presents for them is important to the state’s effort to create a potential road charge system that works for all Californians.
Opportunities to create an easy taxpayer experience
Caltrans will also partner with The Toll Roads to test the functionality of a tolling agency serving as a third-party commercial account manager in a road charge system. This effort will explore the crossover between tolling and road charge and the opportunities to create an easy taxpayer experience and keep administrative costs down.
The Pilot Starts in March 2023.
If you meet the pilot study requirements and are selected to participate, the Project Team will reach out to you in March 2023 with information on how to enroll and get started.
Learn more: Participant Flyer »
