As Road Pricing Summit 2025 approaches, CiTTi Magazine continues its profile series of confirmed speakers at the internationally recognised event.
Taking place on 18-19 September at the Hyatt Regency Miami in Downtown Miami, Florida, the summit will unite senior public- and private-sector stakeholders to address one of the most urgent transportation finance challenges in North America: how to replace declining gas tax revenues with sustainable road funding and infrastructure solutions.
The two-day conference will convene policymakers, industry leaders and innovators to share best practice in the planning, financing, implementation and operation of tolling, road usage charging (RUC) and mobility pricing schemes across highways, urban roads and cross-border corridors.
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Among the confirmed speakers is Jay Starling, programs director at the International Registration Plan (IRP). With a career spanning nearly three decades, Starling previously served as IRP auditor, audit supervisor, Motor Carrier Services manager and director of the Alabama Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division.
In addition to his current role, he has served on the IRP board of directors, Dispute Resolution Committee and Audit Committee. Starling holds a BSc in business administration and accounting from the University of Alabama and an MBA from Troy University.
At this year’s Road Pricing Summit, Starling will examine the evolution of commercial motor vehicle regulation and its intersection with alternative infrastructure funding models, such as RUC. His session will also compare outcomes from RUC pilot programmes involving commercial motor vehicles with those focused on passenger cars.
Name: Jay Starling
Job Title: Programs Director
Organisation: International Registration Plan
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?
The most rewarding aspect of my role is the opportunity to collaborate with jurisdictional and industry partners within the IRP community to administer a uniform and equitable commercial vehicle registration programme. This system helps optimise highway system usage, streamline fee collection and enable efficient inter-jurisdictional commerce.
What is the most pressing challenge for user-financed transportation in 2025?
The biggest challenge is the pressure to adopt a one-size-fits-all approach. Commercial vehicles should not be treated the same as private passenger vehicles. While all road users benefit from safe highways and bridges, funding contributions should reflect usage – whether through registration fees, user fees or both.
What is your best piece of advice for those implementing user-financed transport schemes?
Don’t reinvent the wheel. Look to proven systems like IRP, which has been successfully used by motor vehicle agencies in every US jurisdiction for over 50 years and is responsible for generating more than US$4.5bn (approx. £3.3bn) in revenue annually.
Does legislation support or hinder innovation in this sector?
Enabling legislation is already in place across all IRP member jurisdictions to support distance-based fee and tax collection. When any member implements a fee change – whether related to taxes, surcharges or other adjustments – all other jurisdictions are required to adopt the change within 120 days, ensuring consistency and responsiveness.
How will user-financed transport schemes evolve by 2030?
By 2030, user-financed transport will become a larger part of the overall infrastructure funding mix. Jurisdictions may adopt various pricing mechanisms, including increased registration fees, mileage-based user charges, tolls, and alternative-fuel vehicle fees to offset shortfalls in federal and state highway funds.
Why are you looking forward to speaking at the Road Pricing Summit?
Speaking at the Road Pricing Summit is a valuable opportunity to share insights about IRP and to learn from international peers about emerging pricing strategies being explored worldwide.
With a comprehensive agenda, high-level speakers and exclusive networking opportunities, the Road Pricing Summit is the only independent annual forum of its kind for tolling and road pricing professionals across the USA. Register here!
