Congestion Pricing - A Primer: Evolution of Second Generation Pricing Projects
Summary
Priced managed lanes have evolved over the past 20 years. As these facilities transform from simple high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) to high-occupancy toll (HOT) lane conversions into major road expansions or regional networks, the planning, design, and implementation challenges are magnified. The case studies presented in this primer provide lessons learned in making these transformations and perspectives on how regions that have some HOV/HOT lanes can move to the next level of HOT networks or express toll lanes.
Each project and region is unique, but there are some cross-cutting lessons learned that should benefit future applications of second-generation priced managed lanes:
Technology
- Most second-generation projects are not constrained by technology, which is rapidly advancing.
- Second generation priced roadway projects are coinciding with advancements in vehicle detection and ability to employ dynamic pricing options.
- There is a need to provide transponders (with switchable features as appropriate) that can be flexibly used
across a region.
Institutional
- Identify project champions to build a political constituency in the initial priced lane projects.
- Look for opportunities to expand those coalitions into other corridors or a regional network.
- Develop an organizational structure to oversee implementation and coordination among agencies.
Planning and Policy
- Develop regional transportation plans that include roadway pricing to help ease the implementation of priced facilities.
- Realize that a network of priced managed facilities will be phased over time. Plan each project for its unique features, but keep the broader vision in perspective.
- Consider network-scale decisions related to legal, financial and regulatory issues, so that the issues are not
repeated for each project.
- Decide up-front who plans, designs and operates the facilities.
Design
- Provide a consistent design within and among corridors. The public needs to understand design treatments such as lane access and separation to safely navigate a network of priced facilities.
- Make sure there are well-designed connections between priced facilities.
- Use Intelligent Transportation Systems to manage traffic flow effectively and to provide consistent
messaging to users.
Operations
- Develop a clear policy for priced lane user eligibility and toll rates. If part of a priced lane network is an HOV to HOT conversion, then the agency may need to continue eligibility for HOVs at free or reduced rates. This may complicate regional tolling policies for other corridors that have new express toll lane capacity added.
- Create a consistent process for motorists to declare their status within the lane. Reduce the need for switchable transponders to comply with different rules across corridors.
- Define standard operating procedures for the organization(s) responsible for running the facilities. Operating procedures are needed both between and within organizations. Procedures should become more regionalized as a network is deployed over several years.
- Coordinate back-office operations and traffic management centers.
Financial
- Expanding roadways or developing priced managed lane networks is more expensive and complex than
HOV to HOT conversion projects.
- Agencies should be clear from the beginning about how and to whom revenues will be allocated.
- Multiple-lane priced roadways offer greater revenue potential and funding flexibility.
- New financial mechanisms may be appropriate, including public/private partnerships.
Communications
- Start early in the planning process to educate the public regarding the costs and benefits of the project(s).
- Clearly define the communication roles of each partner agency.
- Communicate how the toll rates work and any changes by time of day and corridor.
- Develop and apply a consistent branding that will be recognized and understood throughout a region.
