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Progress on a Michigan road user charge project

Talking Michigan Transportation

Chapters
0:00
Why Michigan Is Studying RUC
1:08
Jenny Roberts’ Background And Role
2:57
The Gas Tax Problem In 2025
6:30
How Michigan Plans The Pilot
11:06
Pilot Logistics Modeling And Timeline
13:33
Quick Break Mackinac Bridge Walk
13:55
What Other States Are Learning
16:53
Interstate Miles And Fair Charging
19:54
Utah’s Playbook And Michigan’s Next Steps
24:26
Final Thanks And Where To Find Notes
Talking Michigan Transportation
Progress on a Michigan road user charge project
Aug 27, 2026 Season 8 Episode 281

On this week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation with Jennifer Roberts, national road usage charge (RUC) discipline lead at CDM Smith, the consultant selected by the Michigan Department of Transportation to study and eventually pilot transitioning Michigan’s primary road funding formula to an RUC instead of the gas tax.

The Michigan Legislature in 2025 directed MDOT to begin the study and pilot program.

Roberts provided a project overview and the tasks ahead, including project management, planning and procurement, statewide public outreach and education, legislative engagement, operational pilot, revenue modeling and, finally, findings and completion of a report. 

She also talks about what she’s learned from other states in various phases of studying or piloting alternative methods of paying for transportation, as discussed on the podcast previously with the Washington, D.C.-based Mileage Based User Fee Alliance (MBUFA).