Sounds like a good confab. IBTTA with University of Minnesota, Texas Transportation Institute and TRB are joining to sponsor a three day symposium on mileage based user fees (MBUF) and transportation finance at the Hyatt Regency on the Hudson in Jersey City 2pm Sunday April 29 through noon Tuesday May 1.  They've got over 30 speakers and reports on pilot programs, proposed projects to toll interstates, political and legal issues, financing needs, technology possibilities. 

Conference planners were Ginger Goodin of TTI, Lee Munnich of University Minnestota and Mark Muriello of PANYNJ. 

MBUFs or road use charges (RUCs) are tolls writ large. And given a greater than two to one public preference for tolls over fuel taxes, they are the wave of the future in road financing. With fuel tax receipts dwindling in buying power at the same time as huge sections of the interstate system is reaching 50 to 60 years of age, the time is ripe for a new charging methodology and revenue stream for the interstates. And technology makes it possible to apply efficiently and at low cost.

MBUFs and various kinds of RUCs can be applied flexibly in different states and regions according to local initiatives, or nationally. The Jersey City symposium will look at the various possibilities.

Given the paralysis in Washington DC a national MBUF is unlikely but there's a speaker for that longshot proposal too. 

RUCs can help make highway rebuilds and modernization self-funding, increasing the chances of gaining public support. They can be varied by time of day or traffic density to manage the traffic and limit congestion. Where they become profitable they provide an objective measure of, and financing tool for, enhanced capacity. They represent a revenue stream that can be used to attract capital.

Modern road pricing can be combined with 'connected vehicle' technologies to provide a suite of services to drivers covering mobile communications, navigation, safety, and - not so far off - self-drive vehicles.

MBUs, RUCs, road pricing are the new frontier for tolling.  

The symposium is an opportunity to hear this discussed and to meet the leading thinkers and doers.

It's a great venue too - a quick ride from Newark Airport, just off the New Jersey Turnpike, close to the Holland Tunnel, a subway ride to Manhattan and spectacular views of the skyline across the water.

IBTTA details of symposium:

http://www.ibtta.org/Events/eventdetailwithvideo.cfm?ItemNumber=5679

Hyatt Regency on the Hudson:

http://www.roomstays.com/hotel/675594