Author: Qingbin Cui

  • Bonding and Debt Instruments

    One way to raise equity for a transportation project is to issue bonds. A bond is a written promise to repay borrowed money on a definite schedule, usually at a fixed rate over the life of the bond. Transportation bonds are traditionally municipal bonds, which are issued by state and local government entities to finance […]

  • Federal Credit Assistance

    The United States Department of Transportation has developed a number of financial tools to help project sponsors access credit to expedite the implementation of needed transportation improvement. Federal credit assistance can take one of two forms: loans, where project sponsors borrow Federal highway funds directly from a state DOT or the Federal government; and credit enhancements, where a state DOT or the Federal government makes Federal funds available on a contingent (or standby) basis. Credit enhancements help reduce risk to investors and thus allow project sponsors to borrow at lower interest rates. Loans can provide the capital necessary to proceed with a project, reduce the amount of capital borrowed from other sources and may also serve a credit enhancement function by reducing the risk borne by other investors.

  • Proposed Funding Sources

    A number of new transportation funding sources have been proposed to augment existing sources. AASHTO maintains a Matrix of Illustrative Surface Transportation Revenue Options itemizing new sources and their yield forecasts based on certain applied rates or percentages. The matrix also makes revenue estimates for illustrative increases in existing Federal Highway Trust Fund revenue mechanisms. […]

  • Local Funding

    Revenue from local government plays an important role in transportation finance. General fund appropriations represent the largest single source of local funding. The use of property taxes also distinguishes local transportation funding from that of the Federal and state governments. Other broadly collected taxes, such as hotel or rental car taxes may also be directed […]

  • State Funding

    States collect taxes and fees from motor vehicle users and use the revenues to support a variety of transportation (and non-transportation) expenditures. States generally have more flexibility in the varieties of taxes they collect, as well as in how they dispose of those taxes. Taxes imposed by states and localities are collected and administered by […]

  • Federal Funding

    The U.S. government uses its Federal taxing authority to levy several taxes supporting transportation funding through the Highway Trust Fund. In addition, some funding for surface transportation is sourced from the General Fund of the U.S. Treasury.

  • Innovative Finance Developments Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

    This webinar focused on gaining new insight into what transportation practitioners are thinking about the legislation and what’s next for state DOTs.

    Innovative Finance Developments Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
  • State Legislative Developments

    This webinar explored how over the past several years many state legislatures have enacted, or are actively considering, proposals to increase funding or provide additional financing for transportation infrastructure.

    State Legislative Developments
  • Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

    As electric vehicle sales continue to grow, a robust network of public charging stations is needed. This webinar highlights the latest developments on federal funding and finance options for developing electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and the importance of building key partnerships, leveraging private investment, lessons learned, and barriers that remain.

    Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
  • Federal Funds Swap Programs

    This webinar reviewed the findings of a GAO report and had presentations from two states that have implemented federal funds swap programs with their local agencies.

    Federal Funds Swap Programs