1. Changes in Household Vehicle Fleet Compositions & Policy Implications Stacey Bricka and Trey Baker Texas Transportation Institute Presented at the 13 th National TRB Transportation Applications Conference May 11, 2011 -- Session 19 --

2. Why is this important?  The fuel tax is the primary source of funding for state and federal transportation programs  Fuel taxes are levied on a per-gallon basis, meaning that taxes paid per-mile increase as fuel efficiency decreases  If low income drivers are more likely to drive a low fuel efficiency vehicle, then there are likely to be equity implications

3. Why is this important? If low income drivers are more likely to drive a low fuel efficiency vehicle, then there are likely to be equity implications

4. Equity Implications  The benefits principle those who pay a tax should be the ones who benefit those who pay equal amounts should receive equal benefit  The ability to pay principle consumers of governmental goods and services should pay according their ability to pay

5. Research Questions 1. How has household fleet composition changed over time? Vehicle Type Vehicle Age Fuel Efficiency 2. Are there differences based on income or minority status? 3. Are there differences at the state vs. national levels?

6. Approach 1995, 2001, and 2009 NHTS  National + Add-on Samples  Household Vehicles 1995: 176,066,656 vehicles 2001: 209,586,200 vehicles 2009: 211,501,318 vehicles  Poverty levels defined according to US-HHS  Race is self-reported for the head of the household

7. National HH Fleet Composition

8. HH Fleet by Income At/Below Poverty Above Poverty

9. HH Fleet by Minority Status Minority Non-Minority

10. Vehicle Age

11. Vehicle Age by Income At/Below PovertyAbove Poverty

12. Vehicle Age by Minority Status Minority Non-Minority

13. 2009 Fuel Efficiency by Vehicle Age

14. Preliminary Conclusions 1. Household Fleet Composition has changed over time. We own 14% fewer cars and 12% more SUVs HH at/below poverty experienced a similar shift, but also acquired 4% more vans Minority HH experienced a stronger shift from car (16%) to SUV (14%)

15. Preliminary Conclusions 2. Household Fleets are aging. Nationally from 2001 to 2009, fleet aged 1 year on average For minority HH, fleet aged 1.25 years, on average For HH at/below poverty, fleet aged 3-5 years, on average

16. Preliminary Conclusions 3. Possible Equity Issue for Households at/below Poverty Levels. Fleets are Older Older vehicles have lower fuel efficiency Households at/below poverty may be paying higher gas taxes

17. Future Research  Consider VMT  Consider subgroups Single parent HH Urban/rural HH  Continue to investigate regional/state differences

18. Thank you! Stacey Bricka – s-bricka@tamu.edu Trey Baker – r-baker@ttimail.tamu.edu