The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Drivers will have a chance to “test drive” a proposed system that would charge them by the mile, rather than by the gallon of gas for their road usage. The Washington State Transportation Commission approved a plan to conduct a Road Usage Charge pilot project in fall 2017 that will simulate how this system might work.

The commission’s next step is to test the concept with the public and see what people think of it based upon actual experience using it. Recruitment will begin in spring 2017, with up to 2,000 volunteers needed from across the state to participate in the year-long test. Individuals who want to learn more about the project and have an interest in participating can visit the Road Use Charge website at http://www.waroadusagecharge.org.

Pilot project participants will choose different ways to participate and report their vehicle’s mileage. Some options do not involve any technology, such as manually reporting odometer readings; others do involve technology utilizing smartphones or in-vehicle technology. Because this is a simulation, participants will not be charged for any miles driven.

For more information about the commission and a complete meeting agenda, visit: http://www.wstc.wa.gov/.