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Infrastructure Finance

Report

Lessons Learned from Implementing Infrastructure Resilience Guidelines

The Presidential Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force developed guidelines to ensure that federal agencies incorporate key principles of resilience into their formulation, evaluation, and prioritization of infrastructure investments related to Sandy rebuilding. An initial assessment of the implementation of the guidelines identifies opportunities and challenges.

Dec 9, 2014
Commentary

Crimean Adventure Will Cost Russia Dearly

Moscow may have overreached, as it appears ill-prepared to come up with the necessary funds to cover Crimea-related costs. Infrastructure improvements, development aid, government operations, and other costs will be a multi-billion drain — as much as $4.5 billion per year — on Russia's already strained budget.

Sep 8, 2014
Commentary

In Africa: U.S. Promotes Security, China Does Business

Africans require both security and economic growth. Global powers like China and the United States do not need to choose between the two when focusing their foreign policy efforts.

May 31, 2014
Dissertation

Emerging Infrastructure Financing Mechanisms in Sub-Saharan Africa

Explores the new flows and policy implications of private sector and emerging countries investments of emerging infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Sep 9, 2013
Commentary

Paying for Infrastructure, a Taxing Issue

If the “user pays” idea is worth saving, the United States needs a different calculation, writes Liisa Ecola. Some states are looking at mileage fees. With mileage fees, you pay based on the number of miles you drive, rather than the number of gallons of gas used.

May 16, 2013
Report

Options for Financing Louisiana's Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System

Incremental operations and maintenance costs for new hurricane protection infrastructure vary considerably across Louisiana's levee districts, but most can cover costs for infrastructure within their boundaries. Stakeholders will need to determine an equitable cost allocation for infrastructure that spans district boundaries.

Nov 28, 2012
Commentary

Getting Over the Privacy Hurdle to Mileage-Based Road Fees

There is no need for privacy concerns to halt all discussion of new technologies to help address America's mounting transportation funding crisis, writes Liisa Ecola.

Jun 6, 2012
Dissertation

Mileage-Based User Fee Winners and Losers: An Analysis of the Distributional Implications of Taxing Vehicle Miles Traveled, with Projections, 2010-2030

Estimates changes in annual vehicle miles traveled in response to changes in the cost of driving that would result from adopting a mileage-based user fee.

Apr 26, 2012
Commentary

No Data? Big Problem.

Good data can inform decision makers about what really works—how best to relieve congestion and improve supply-chain connectivity to make freight transportation—and hence the U.S. economy—more competitive, write Mortimer Downey, Joseph Schofer, and Johanna Zmud.

Mar 20, 2012
Commentary

Save Money — Hire Police

The high cost of crime to society suggests that adding police officers may give large cities a sizable return on their investments, write Greg Ridgeway and Paul Heaton.

Nov 22, 2011
Commentary

A System Under Strain

Our transportation future will be multi-layered and complex—bounded by transportation infrastructure that is under-funded on the one hand and ever-expanding congestion and capacity constraints on the other, writes Johanna Zmud.

Sep 30, 2011
Commentary

Policymakers and Public Need to Be Able to Track and Account for Federal Disaster Funds

If the U.S. does not improve its ability to track federal spending and develop reliable measures of effectiveness, precious federal disaster aid will continue to be at risk of being squandered, writes Agnes Gereben Schaefer.

Jul 14, 2011
Report

The Arc: A Formal Structure for a Palestinian State

An examination of options and cost estimates for strengthening the housing and transportation infrastructure of a potential future independent Palestinian state in the context of a large and rapidly growing Palestinian population.

May 19, 2011
Report

How Does Investment in Highway Infrastructure Affect the Economy?

To inform debate on a new transportation bill being considered, an analysis of literature on the effects of highway infrastructure spending on the economy offers principles for reforming federal policy and programs, as well as ideas for future research.

May 17, 2011
Research Brief

Moving Toward Vehicle Miles of Travel Fees to Replace Fuel Taxes: Assessing the Path Forward

Assesses alternate mechanisms for implementing fees to fund the nation's road network based on vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and outlines a plan for large-scale system trials to further evaluate the most promising concepts.

Mar 29, 2011
Commentary

Among Potential Deficit Remedies, Don't Rule Out Raising Gas Tax

A proposed 15-cents-a-gallon gas tax is worth a second look. Among various painful options put forward in the Deficit Reduction Commission's draft report, this tax hike may be well justified, writes Martin Wachs.

Dec 25, 2010
News Release

Alternate Ways to Fund U.S. Transportation System

Congress should take the opportunity provided by the pending reauthorization of the federal transportation bill to consider new ways to fund the U.S. transportation system, shifting from indirect fees such as fuel taxes to ones that charge drivers directly for the miles they travel.

Feb 10, 2010
News Release

U.S. Freight System Modernization Necessary to Reduce Bottlenecks, Improve Security

The long-term efficiency and effectiveness of the U.S. freight transportation system is threatened by bottlenecks, inefficient use of some parts of the infrastructure components, vulnerability to disruptions, and crucial environmental and energy concerns.

Jun 9, 2009
Report

U.S. Freight System Modernization Necessary to Reduce Bottlenecks, Improve Security

The long-term efficiency and effectiveness of the U.S. freight transportation system is threatened by bottlenecks, inefficient use of some parts of the infrastructure components, vulnerability to disruptions, and crucial environmental and energy concerns.

Jun 5, 2009
News Release

Equity Concerns Raised by Transportation Congestion Pricing Can Be Addressed To Make Approach Viable

Policymakers need to address equity concerns early when implementing congestion pricing to improve traffic flow, as each situation is unique and must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Jun 2, 2009

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RAND Topic:
Infrastructure Finance

Research conducted by

RAND Social and Economic Well-Being