Karl Browning wants to change the way Indiana taxpayers and government leaders think about paying for transportation improvements.
Browning, the Indiana Department of Transportation commissioner, presented his ideas Wednesday to county, city and state engineers and elected officials attending the 101st annual Purdue University Road School.
Traditionally, projects are prioritized according to the amount of money available annually from state and federal tax revenues.
If that isn't enough, elected leaders turn to taxes on fuel and vehicles or tolls.
Instead, Indiana should first determine what type of transportation system it needs, Browning said.
"It's not about an unmet need as much as it's about 'Where do we as a state want to be?' " he said.
Indiana is the crossroads of America, particularly for freight transportation, simply because it's located in the heart of the country, he said.
Fourteen interstates run through Indiana, more than any other state. More than 30 railroads operate in Indiana, the third highest in the nation.
Browning broke the needs into several categories, including:
• Maintain existing interstates, state roads and bridges,
• Build new improvements to boost economic development, such as widening I-65 and I-70 from state line to state line as recommended by Gov. Mike Pence's blue ribbon panel, and
• Complete local and regional projects that would improve vehicle movement.