Profit-Driven Transportation Planning

Some privatization deals include monetary incentives for the state to divert traffic to the toll roads or decrease safety standards in an effort to boost profits. Decisions to build new roads are supposed to be made in accordance with long-term regional plans. The Texas contract with Cintra-Zachry for SH-130 contains incentives for the state to raise the speed limit on the private road. The contract says that if the speed limit remains at 70 mph, the state will receive 4.65 percent of revenue up to a certain threshold. However, if the state raises the speed limit to 80 mph, it would receive 9 percent of the revenues.51 Though state officials have maintained they will not base speed limit decisions on monetary gain, this clause does create a strong incentive for the state to toss aside safety, energy, and environmental policy in favor of cash.