changes in household vehicle fleet compositions & policy implications stacey bricka and trey...
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Changes in Household Vehicle Fleet
Compositions & Policy Implications
Stacey Bricka and Trey BakerTexas Transportation Institute
Presented at the 13th National TRB Transportation Applications Conference
May 11, 2011-- Session 19 --
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
Why is this important?
2.0 ¢ 1.8 ¢1.3 ¢ 1.2 ¢1.0 ¢ 0.9 ¢0.8 ¢ 0.7 ¢0.7 ¢ 0.6 ¢0.6 ¢ 0.5 ¢0.5 ¢ 0.5 ¢0.4 ¢ 0.4 ¢
2530354045
101521
Fuel Efficiency (Miles per Gallon)
State Fuel Taxes per mile driven (Texas)
Federal Fuel Taxes paid per mile Driven
If low income drivers are more likely to drive a low fuel efficiency vehicle, then there are likely to be equity implications
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
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?
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
National HH Fleet Composition
1995 2001 20090%
10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
64% 56% 50%
18%19%
18%
8%9%
8%
7% 12% 19%
3% 4% 4%
Car Truck Van SUV Other
HH Fleet by Income
1995 2001 20090%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
67% 65%55%
18% 17%
17%
8% 10%
12%
4% 6%14%
OtherSUVVanTruckCar
1995 2001 20090%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
64%56% 49%
18%
19%18%
8%9%
8%
7%13%
20%
OtherSUVVanTruckCar
At/Below PovertyAbove Poverty
HH Fleet by Minority Status
1995 2001 20090%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
72%64%
56%
13%14%
14%
7%9%
8%
5% 11%19%
OtherSUVVanTruckCar
1995 2001 20090%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
62%55% 48%
19%
20%19%
8%9%
8%
7%12%
20%
OtherSUVVanTruckCar
MinorityNon-Minority
Vehicle Age
Car Truck Van SUV Other0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
8.2
9.7
6.7 6.5
11.3
8.4
9.5
6.96.0
9.59.2
10.7
8.6
7.0
10.4
1995 2001 2009
Vehicle Age by IncomeAt/Below Poverty
Car Truck Van SUV Other0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
1995 2001 2009
Above Poverty
Car Truck Van SUV Other0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
1995 2001 2009
Vehicle Age by Minority Status
Minority
Car Truck Van SUV Other0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
1995 2001 2009
Non-Minority
Car Truck Van SUV Other0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
1995 2001 2009
2009 Fuel Efficiency by Vehicle Age
1-3 years 4-6 years 7-9 years 10-14 years 15+ years0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
CarVanSUVTruck
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%)
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
averageFor HH at/below
poverty, fleet aged 3-5 years,
on average
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
Future Research
Consider VMT Consider subgroups• Single parent HH• Urban/rural HH
Continue to investigate regional/state differences
