The Texas transportation system faces challenges like never before. Demand on the system is outpacing available revenue, and factors like inflation, a growing population, an aging infrastructure and more fuel-efficient vehicles are pushing current funding sources to their limits.
A healthy and reliable transportation system is critical for Texas, now and in the future. However, solving the state's current funding problems will require a multi-level approach, with all Texans involved in the planning process.
TxDOT has developed a Statewide Funding Brochure that outlines the needs of highway and road funding in the state in order to kick-start the discussion. The tables below list the source material for data found in the brochure.
Transportation Needs and Costs
| Data | Author | Source |
| 2030 needs | 2030 Committee | Texas Transportation Needs Report, February 2009 |
| Needs update (2035) |
2030 Committee |
Texas Transportation Needs Report, "It’s About Time: Investing in Transportation to Keep Texas Economically Competitive," March 2011 |
| Long-range planning | TxDOT Transportation Planning and Programming Division | Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan, 2010 Report |
| Estimated Construction and Maintenance Needs map | TxDOT Transportation Planning and Programming Division | Referenced in the Texas Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan 2035 - Executive Summary, November 2010 |
| Revenue projections | Association of Texas Metropolitan Planning Organizations | Presentation to the Texas Transportation Commission, May 28, 2009 |
| Texas Population Growth chart, 1970-2030 | Center for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research and Education | The Texas Challenge in the Twenty-First Century: Implications of Population Change for the Future of Texas, December 2002 |
The Challenges
| Data | Author | Source |
| Fuel efficiency | The White House | The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, July 29, 2011 |
| Inflation | TxDOT Finance Division |
TxDOT 2014-2015 Legislative Appropriations Request, Aug. 30, 2012 |
| Federal funding issues | Congressional Budget Office |
CBO Report, "The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2012 to 2022," July 2013 |
| Purchasing power of state fuel tax (chart) | State Legislative Affairs | State Fuel Tax Deposits to the State Highway Fund, Fiscal Years 1993-2012 |
The Discussion
| Data | Author | Source |
| Vehicle registration fees | Texas Department of Motor Vehicles |
Information provided by the Texas Dept. of Motor Vehicles to the Texas House Appropriations Subcommittee on Articles VI, VII and VIII and the Subcommittee on Funding, July 9, 2012 |
| Funding options | TxDOT Testimony to the Select Committee on Transportation Funding |
Legislator Requests Options to Increase Annual Transportation Funding Options, 83rd State Legislature |
| Index or increase the motor fuel tax | Dye Management Group, Inc. | Findings and Analysis: Texas Transportation Funding Challenge, updated April 2009 |
| Other possibilities | Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts | 2012-2013 Certification Revenue Estimate, December 2011 |
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