The Cost of Heavy Vehicles in San Francisco
As San Francisco faces a significant budget deficit of $1 billion and the SFMTA looks at a shortfall of over $300 million, it’s time to consider bold measures to get our financial house in order. One major cost to our city is the maintenance of our streets, which is largely caused by heavy vehicles.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) budget reveals that the city spends $100 million in General Funds on street cleaning and $60 million in capital funds on street maintenance, including repaving and pothole repair. This doesn’t even account for the additional costs incurred by other city departments like SFMTA and SFPUC for related work. The total cost amounts to at least $160 million annually, which is approximately 40% of the DPW budget or half of the SFMTA budget shortfall.
The damage caused by heavy vehicles is not trivial. Road damage is related to vehicle weight (per axle) to the fourth power, meaning a Tesla Cybertruck causes roughly 16 times the damage of a Honda Accord. Amazon delivery vans and commuter shuttles cause even more damage, with the latter potentially causing thousands of times more road wear.
It’s reasonable to ask owners of these heavy vehicles to mitigate the costs they cause. This aligns with the polluter-pays principle, which is permissible under California law. The city should consider charging annual road maintenance fees to commuter shuttles and large delivery van fleets first, as they are the heaviest and fewest in number.
For private vehicles, including autonomous ones, the city could implement mitigation fees while making allowances for equity. Small businesses and low-income residents could be exempted or receive discounts. Electric cars, which are generally heavier than their gas counterparts, could also receive discounts to encourage their use.
Implementation will require careful consideration, including how to determine vehicle weights and owners. Fortunately, the DMV has this data for privately owned cars, which could be shared annually with the city.
By internalizing the costs caused by heavy vehicles, San Francisco can raise tens of millions in revenue to fund street infrastructure and promote more sustainable transportation options. This approach is crucial for the health of our streets and our budget.
Ultimately, a phased approach may be necessary, starting with the simplest vehicle types to regulate. The city should consult with City Attorney David Chiu to confirm the legitimacy of such fees and the process for implementation. By taking this step, San Francisco can send a strong signal about the importance of sustainable transportation and fair cost allocation.
