Changing trends in the automobile market are challenging the long-term sustainability of revenue streams—and possibly how the public perceives them. In response, NCDOT commissioned a survey to better understand how the public perceives transportation taxes and fees in 2019 and followed up with an updated survey in 2020. Additionally, NCDOT created the NC FIRST Commission. This state level committee of subject matter experts was tasked with evaluating North Carolina's current and future transportation investment needs and advising the Secretary of Transportation on those needs was created. The NC FIRST Commission delivered their final report in January 2021.
Using the knowledge gained from the literature review, the research team designed and administered a 17-question survey to North Carolina residents. The survey responses were weighted by county population and response rate, gender, age, and education to adjust the sample for representativeness of North Carolina's population. Some questions on the survey were split into multiple ballots to examine how varying levels of information and context would affect responses. The results suggest several instances where providing background information does have an impact. For example, when more context is offered, respondents supported an increase in funding at a substantially higher rate than those who did not receive information. Support for a mileage-based usage fee dwindled as information on a specific fee amount was introduced and then increased.
Most respondents did not know the actual amount of the gas tax in North Carolina. However, most respondents think that the gas tax is fair despite not knowing the amount. Interesting differences between ballots in the survey question asking respondents to estimate the gas tax emerged, such as the fact that more confident respondents guessed incorrectly at a higher rate than those who were not confident or simply guessed. The findings suggest a relatively minor difference in responses between those that live in urban and rural areas. Finally, the results suggest statistical differences (but not many practical differences) in education, political affiliation, and age.
