Road-charge technical advisory committee adopts decision schedule to guide pilot design

The Road Charge Technical Advisory Committee voted unanimously March 27 to adopt a decision schedule that sets monthly decision points and work streams through December 2015 to guide design of a California road-charge pilot program.

The committee approved the schedule after presentations from the project consultant and staff about the multi-month timeline and the statute-driven questions the committee must resolve. The schedule spells out work streams — technical, communications, policy and evaluation — and identifies the September period as the target for finalizing core design decisions so the pilot can move from design into construction and testing.

Committee members said the schedule will be a working framework, not a final prescription. Jeff Doyle of the consulting team told the committee the schedule is intended to be refined as members receive additional information and that recommendations could be revisited through September. Committee chair Commissioner Jim Madaffer said the timetable provides a framework for “roll up your sleeves” discussions but not an inflexible plan.

Members discussed several near-term items they want explicitly included in upcoming meetings. Commissioner Richard (last name not specified in transcript) asked that the committee provisionally adopt two or more manual, non‑technological reporting options (for example, odometer-based reporting or an annual prepay) at an early meeting so the public can compare low‑tech options with technological approaches. Committee members agreed that manual options should be established as a baseline during the policy items later in the spring. Several members also asked that the committee make explicit whether pilot participation will be voluntary; staff agreed to include voluntary participation as part of the policy actions to be considered.

Motion and vote The motion to adopt the decision schedule through December 2015 was made by member O'Connor and seconded by Steve Finnegan. The motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters The schedule determines the sequence of technical presentations and policy choices the committee will use to shape a pilot intended to test alternatives to the gasoline excise tax. The committee’s recommendations feed statutory reporting requirements and will shape how the state evaluates feasibility, privacy and equity implications of a road‑use charge.