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Written by J.P. Wicklein
The University of Iowa has launched a federally-funded study of America’s drivers. What could this mean for you? They’re looking for drivers and are offering $895 to entice participants.
What is the study about?
The University of Iowa’s Public Policy Center is seeking to evaluate public response to a new mileage-based road user charge system (the more miles you drive, the more you pay). Currently, drivers pay a federal tax on the gas they purchase. A mileage-based charge system could replace the federal gas tax. The study looks to test the effectiveness of the technology used to track an individual driver’s mileage and evaluate driver acceptance of the mileage-based charge system.
What are participants required to do?
Participants in the study are required to attend a couple interviews, fill out a pair of questionnaires, and attend a training session. Additionally, participants agree to have mileage-based charge equipment installed in their car for 10 months. Installation and removal of the equipment is free.
Who can participate in the study?
The study’s administrators require all interested applicants to fill out an online recruitment survey. Administrators will determine your eligibility based upon the answers you provide in the survey. Selected individuals that complete the survey will be asked to participate in the study. Unfortunately, the study is only available to residents of a select number of cities and their surrounding counties. The cities are:
· Chicago, Illinois
· Billings, Montana
· Albuquerque, New Mexico
· Wichita, Kansas
· Portland, Maine
· Miami, Florida
How much do participants get paid, and when?
Participants will receive $895 over the course of the study. A $300 lump sum is paid following completion of the training course and $275 will be paid upon completion of an exit survey. The remainder is paid out gradually over the course of the study.
I applied to be in the study
Since I reside in the Chicagoland area I decided to apply. (Hey, $895 is a lot of money!) I completed the online recruitment survey. I’ll find out if I’m selected sometime within the next couple weeks. If chosen, I’ll post updates to this article along with my thoughts.
If you live in, or around, one of the above cities and would like more information on the study please visit www.roaduserstudy.org.
Photo by: kla4067
4 responses so far ↓
1 charlie lightening // Jul 13, 2009 at 8:52 pm
I am interested in your road study program but i just started my job. Can not take any days off for attening training session…can session be done over internet?
2 Financial Fellow // Jul 15, 2009 at 10:39 am
Charlie -
Unfortunately, I don’t know the details on the training session. I’d suggest that you fill out their recruitement survey online first. If you’re selected then you can ask about the training session. Perhaps they offer weekend or evening sessions… Don’t know but I’m sure they would tell you.
If after filling out the survey you aren’t selected then that pretty much makes the training times moot.
Hope this helps.
John (Financial Fellow)
3 Best CD Rates // Jul 16, 2009 at 1:15 pm
No Los Angeles! Too bad for me. Good luck to you, I hope you’re accepted so you can write more about the results of the test.
4 Financial Fellow // Aug 5, 2009 at 2:59 pm
It’s been a few weeks since I signed up to participate in the study. I decided to call the Road User Study number listed on their website for an update.
Turns out they have already filled their slots for Chicagoland area study participants. They only had 250 spots. With so few spots I’m not surprised I wasn’t picked.
Oh, well…I tried.
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