MPC Research Reports
Report Details

Title:	Motor Carrier Industry Perceptions of IFTA and IRP
Authors:	Gene Griffin, Brenda Lantz, Julie Rodriguez, and Matt Titus
University:	North Dakota State University
Publication Date:	Mar 1995
Report #:	MPC-95-45
Project #:	MPC-020
TRID #:	00715410
Keywords:	economic factors, economics, fuels, international compacts, motor carriers, perception, registrations, regulations, states, taxation, traffic mitigation, transportation, trucking

Abstract

Transportation fulfills three major roles in a developed economy. First, it is an enabler that allows an economy to develop. Second, it is a facilitator of competition for producers throughout broad area. And finally, transportation is a component of the Gross National Product. The motor carrier industry is a major part of the transportation sector of the national economy. Laws and regulations established by various states are not uniform and have caused problems for motor carriers that operate in multiple states. The International Registration Plan (IRP) and the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) are two programs that were initiated to mitigate the inefficiencies resulting from individual state requirements to collect fuel taxes and register vehicles. The aim of this study was to determine how IRP and IFTA are working for motor carriers. The test of this objective is based on a determination of how the programs are perceived by the motor carrier industry. The results of this study are based on the responses to a 46-question survey provided by the 160 respondent trucking firms. The motor carriers in Region VIII appear to have a positive perception of both the IRP and IFTA. Suggestions are made for improvements.