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| Welcome |
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ODOT Director Matt Garrett
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Dear Oregonians,
As director of the Oregon Department of Transportation, I am pleased to provide you with the 2008 edition of Key Facts, an overview of the programs and issues currently affecting transportation in Oregon. This year, we’ve included as much information from the previous two years’ activities as possible. We’re also celebrating Oregon’s 150th Birthday by including bits of transportation history throughout. I hope you will find it valuable and useful. In addition to information about transportation revenues and expenses, this booklet includes:
- details about ODOT’s performance, demands on our system and the transportation planning process;
- tables showing driver and motor vehicle transactions, passenger rail volumes and construction project accomplishments;
- key data transportation planners and stakeholders can use; and
- descriptions of motor carrier activity, freight movement and public transit programs.
Key Facts also shows how investments in Oregon’s transportation infrastructure are benefiting the state and its people. In the past several years, ODOT and its private-sector partners have placed a priority on the following:
- completing projects efficiently and safely;
- keeping Oregon “open for business”;
- ensuring people, goods and services keep moving as construction volume increases on
- our roadways; and growing Oregon firms to benefit the entire state.
Key Facts provides just a glimpse into our transportation system, which is the backbone of our economy and quality of life. For the latest information, visit ODOT’s Web site. I also encourage you to visit Oregon’s award-winning road condition, construction and incident site, www.TripCheck.com, where you can find out about weather, travel services, transportation options and more. You can also call 511 for important travel information.
On behalf of the dedicated ODOT employees throughout the state, thank you for your support of the Oregon transportation system — and please drive safely.
Matthew L. Garrett
Director
Oregon Department of Transportation
Download the entire Key Facts 2008 booklet (PDF 2MB), or view sections of the booklet below.
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| About ODOT |
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Overland travel during Oregon's early days was rough.
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Transportation in Oregon
Whether by train, plane, car, bus, bicycle or on foot, we all depend in one way or another on a safe and reliable transportation system. A multi-billion dollar investment in our people, our environment and our state, Oregon’s transportation system plays a role in nearly every aspect of life — we buy food that is trucked into a grocery store, our children travel to school on buses, tourists fly in, drive around the state and then fly out, fishermen earn a living with their boats, and goods are shipped in and out along rivers and the ocean — just to name a few.
Multimodal transportation gives Oregonians more choices and supports economic prosperity. By considering all the different ways to travel and all the options to move goods and services, we create efficient connections that benefit the entire state.
Transportation facilities owned and operated by the state of Oregon (but not necessarily by ODOT) include:
- Interstate and state highways;
- State-owned airports; and
- Two short-line railroad tracks and rights of way.
Other Oregon transportation systems include:
- City streets and county roads;
- Public roads on federal lands;
- Ferries;
- Public transit systems;
- Commercial and general aviation airports;
- Freight railroads and intercity passenger rail service;
- Marine ports and navigation; and
- Non-motorized transportation.
ODOT invites you to learn more about Oregon's transportation system.
Agency Organization
Download a printable version of this information (pdf)
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| The Important Role of Transportation |
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An early Highway Department truck.
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Transportation, the Economy and Oregon's Way of Life
Transportation, whether air, train, marine, highway or public transit, is essential to Oregon’s economic health and Oregonians’ quality of life. A sound multimodal transportation system supports our existing economy, facilitates desired growth, reduces the costs of congestion and inefficiency, and links us together to promote success in all regions of the state.
Supporting the economy
- Oregon is highly trade-dependent and uniquely positioned as a gateway to the global economy.
- Maintaining transportation connections among ports, airports, intermodal centers, industrial centers, agricultural regions and manufacturing locations helps keep Oregon’s economy strong and people employed. Congestion is detrimental to the economy and the environment; it often results in higher prices for consumer goods, lower wages for workers and less income for businesses, while also releasing harmful emissions.
- Oregon employs a host of strategies for reducing congestion, including metering ramps, working road construction at night, improving highway entrances and exits, and educating the public about transit options.
Making smart investments
- Oregon is a leading center for advanced technology in agriculture, semiconductors and electronics, transportation equipment and metals.
- Investments in transportation infrastructure support a healthy economy, provide jobs and give people options for getting around.
- The 10-year Oregon Transportation Investment Act III bridge repair and replacement program alone will sustain an annual average of 2,500 jobs; between 2007 and 2010, the bridge program is expected to sustain an average of more than 3,400 jobs per year.
Applying a sustainable philosophy
To further support Oregon’s economy and quality of life, ODOT embraces the concept of sustainability. By demonstrating sustainable business practices, ODOT is helping meet the needs of the current generation while helping to ensure that future generations can meet their needs. Examples of ODOT’s commitment to sustainability include:
- The 2006 Oregon Transportation Plan, which includes a foundation for addressing climate change and a sustainability goal;
- Hiring a full-time Sustainability Manager, located in the Director’s Office;
- Taking a multimodal approach to transportation. Although ODOT’s primary work continues to be in managing the highway system, the work of its Public Transit Division, Rail Division, Bike and Pedestrian Program, and land use partnerships are integral parts of the system;
- Working with several relevant nonprofit groups, including the Oregon Natural Step Network, the Columbia Willamette Clean Cities Coalition, and the Oregon Environmental Council;
- Using sustainable fuels in fleet and equipment;
- Exploring solar power;
- Funding transportation programs that promote conservation and emissions reduction; and
- Financing transit expansions and passenger rail programs.
ODOT’s Sustainability Program assists staff in carefully managing activities and assets so that the agency can sustain access to essential goods and services, economic opportunities, transportation choices, livable communities and healthy natural resources for all Oregonians.
Learn more about the important role of transportation
Oregon Transportation Investment Act (pdf) (Web page )
Office of Civil Rights - Workforce Development and Small Business Support (pdf ) (Web page )
ConnectOregon: Creating Options (pdf) (Web page )
Oregon's Bridges (pdf )
Travel, Tourism and Transit (pdf )
Transportation System Demands (pdf )
Oregon Innovative Partnerships Program (pdf) (Web page )
Road User Fee Task Force and Pilot Program (pdf) (Web page )
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| Oregon's Transportation System |
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Salem, Oregon train station 1911.
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Oregon's transportation system is the backbone of our economy and quality of life. Learn about the components (pdf) of the state's vital transportation system including:
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Highway Safety (Web site )
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Construction Projects 2006-2007
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Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (Web site )
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Highway, Street and Road Mileage
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Maintenance
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Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (Web site )
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Freight Overview
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Pipelines
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Truck Freight
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Ports and Marine
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Aviation
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Rail - Freight
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Rail - Passenger
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Pedestrian and Bicycle Program (Web site )
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Public Transit (Web site )
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Intelligent Transportation Systems
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TripCheck.com and 511
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| Transportation Funding |
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Oregon's first highway bond was issued for $1,000.
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Financing Roads in Oregon
Road user fees
The money that pays to preserve, improve and operate Oregon’s road system comes from state, federal, county and city sources. Oregon funds its road system through “road user fees” based on these principles:
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Those who use the roads pay for them;
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Road users pay in proportion to the road costs for which they are responsible; and
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Road user fees are used for constructing, improving and maintaining roads.
The State Highway Fund
The money raised by taxes and fees on the ownership, operation or use of motor vehicles or on the fuel they use is constitutionally dedicated in Oregon to the State Highway Fund. These funds, which come from the following sources, must be used on roads, bridges or rest areas.
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Driver license fees and fees relating to obtaining a driver license (covering the fixed costs of providing the highway system), effective July 1, 2008:
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$31 - $74.50: issuance and renewal of driver license and commercial driver license
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$22.50: instructional permits
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$5 - $70: tests and special endorsements
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Registration and title fees (covering the fixed costs of providing the highway system):
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Registration fees
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$27 per year: cars and light vehicles
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$169 - $375 per year: vehicles less than 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight
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$184 - $636: vehicles over 26,000 GVW
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Title fees
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$55: cars
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$90: heavy vehicles
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Fuel taxes (covering the travel-related costs of cars and other light vehicles):
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24 cents per gallon of gasoline, diesel or equivalent natural gas or propane: vehicles less than 26,000 GVW
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Weight-mile taxes (covering the greater responsibility of trucks and other heavy vehicles — fees are based on weight and distance traveled):
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4 cents – 18.51 cents per mile: vehicles between 26,001 and 105,500 GVW
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5.7 cents per equivalent single axle mile: exceptional loads
Sharing State Highway funds
The State Highway Fund is a shared revenue source. The net revenues from the taxes and fees listed above are distributed to the state, counties and cities using the following formula:
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State: 60 percent
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Counties: 24 percent, based on vehicle registrations
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Cities: 16 percent, based on population
The OTIA III program shares revenue using a slightly different formula:
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State: 57.5 percent
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Counties: 25.5 percent
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Cities: 17 percent
Federal funds
There are two major sources of federal road revenue:
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The Federal Highway Trust Fund. These monies are shared by the state, counties and cities.
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Federal forest revenues. These funds are distributed to counties and earmarked for road purposes.
Local funds
City and county local road funds come from property tax levies, local fuel taxes, local improvement district assessments, traffic impact fees, bonds, general fund transfers, parking meters and fines, receipts from other local governments, and miscellaneous sources like fines, permit fees and private contributions.
Learn more about ODOT revenue sources, ODOT revenue uses and federal funding (pdf).
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| Measuring ODOT's Performance |
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The Barlow Road was one of Oregon's first toll roads.
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ODOT’s goals are linked to the State of Oregon’s long-range strategic vision called the Oregon Benchmarks — high-level indicators of qualify of life. The “Key Performance Measures ” (pdf) help ODOT track progress and set goals for the future.
ODOT Performance Measure Web site
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