Case Study
As traditional transportation funding sources, such as the gas tax, become less reliable, how can states continue to maintain and improve their infrastructure? The Eastern Transportation Coalition (TETC), a coalition of 17 states and Washington D.C., is evaluating alternatives like mileage-based user fees (MBUF), managed lanes, and electric vehicle road user charges (EV RUC). To support these efforts, DHM has conducted ongoing public opinion research to help policymakers understand what residents value, their concerns, and how best to communicate transportation funding challenges and solutions.
DHM has executed surveys and focus groups in multiple states, including Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, and Delaware. Each survey was created to tackle topics specific to its associated state while contributing to a broader understanding of regional trends and public sentiment across the Eastern United States. Points of discussion spanned public perceptions of highway and quality transportation spending, awareness and attitude toward gas taxes and alternative funding models, support and concerns related to MDUF drivers’ experiences, and preferences for how new charges should be structured and communicated.
Partnering with social impact firm DH, DHM helped shape a statewide mental health advertising campaign for Washington adults 55+ by using survey and focus group insights to ensure the final creative concept reflected the voices of those it aimed to help.