Incentives for Truck Use of SH 130

This report aims to increase the understanding and the behavioral responses of the trucking industry to tolls charged. In particular, this report looks at the current use of the tolled bypass road around Austin (i.e., SH 130) that was intended to serve as an alternative to IH 35, which goes through Austin. The report also examines past incentives to encourage truck traffic on SH 130. This report answers three questions regarding truck use of tolled roads (specifically SH 130): (1) What does the literature say? (2) What do the traffic and transaction data say? (3) What does industry say? Ultimately, this study aims to inform short- and long-term mobility policy and planning strategies to move freight more efficiently in and through Texas. The positive implications of diverting truck traffic to uncongested toll roads are reduced traffic congestion, increased safety, and better air quality on the parallel facility.