Given the available information currently accessible to UTRC, we have estimated that there is the likelihood of an $8 billion shortfall in the revenue available to fund the 5 year NYSDOT Capital Plan presented for 2010-2014 equating to an approximate shortfall of $1.7 billion annually. NYRIC has requested UTRC analyze a variety of possible funding sources which could provide revenue support to NYSDOT’s capital plan. We have presented potential alternative funding sources as individual mechanisms. Within the body of our report there exists an in-depth and thorough explanation of principles, assumptions, concepts, analyses and thought processes that reinforce the development of our findings. Please refer to each section of our report for explanations and rationale of individual revenue streams. Our findings should in no way be interpreted as advocacy for any particular policy or mechanism, but rather as an assessment of possible alternatives.

We have presented our findings both qualitatively and quantitatively. Highlight Table 1 presents a matrix arraying funding mechanisms and the likelihood of those mechanisms meeting certain objectives, such as equity, stability and matching users with benefits. Highlight Table 2 presents our research quantitatively and offers revenue currently collected by NY State and by what measure the revenue source is derived from, including per mile traveled, per gallon sold and per pound of CO2 generated. These tables can be utilized by NYRIC in multiple ways in order to develop various scenarios to answer such policy questions as the following: What is the mechanism which will generate the most dollars? What mechanism would be the most stable in an uncertain economy? Or even, what mechanism could be applied almost immediately with the least amount of administrative/start up costs? Highlight Table 3 creates examples, where applicable and available, as to what level of increase would be needed to generate new revenue of approximately $1.7 billion annually. Again, it is not UTRCs position to advocate for any one mechanism but simply to provide insight into levels required. This table could also be employed to develop numerous funding scenarios. For instance, NYRIC can measure, sort and rank different revenue sources or combination of sources which could be employed to meet the NYSDOT’s capital plan shortfalls. Our tables are presented below.