Lessons Learned from Regional Congestion Pricing Workshops (RCPWs)

CHAPTER 4. KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CANDIDATE REGIONS FROM PRE- TO POST-WORKSHOP

After the workshops were held, most candidate regions were successful in making progress in planning, development, and implementation of congestion pricing project activities. Importantly, agencies strengthened the political and technical support for implementation of pricing programs in their respective areas, and enhanced stakeholder awareness on the role of value pricing programs to improve the efficiency in corridor traffic management. Key developments by Chicago and Portland observed following their respective workshops are presented below.

ILLINOIS DOT (IDOT) (I-290 AND I-55 TOLL LANE PROJECTS)

In 2016, IDOT identified I-290 as the potential first congestion priced project. Currently, the State is exploring which of Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA's) two pilot tolling programs might provide the type of tolling authority sought. The two programs under consideration are the Interstate System Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program (ISRRPP) and the Value Pricing Pilot Program (VPPP). The IDOT has completed the Record of Decision for I-290. In the case of I-55 HOT lane deployment on a 25-mile stretch, the State indicated that it is still in the process and design stage. The IDOT is also investigating public private partnership funding methods to enhance the progress of I-55 toll lane project. A complete overview of I-55 and I-290 High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) lane corridor is presented in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Map of Illinois DOT RCPW toll lane project study areas. The HOT lane study area shown in orange represents I-55 between I-255 and I-90/94. The HOT lane study area shown in orange green represents I-290 between Mannheim Rd. and Racine Ave.

Figure 1. Map. I-55 and I-290 HOT Lane Study Area. Source: IDOT

OREGON DOT (ODOT)

The Governor signed a Bill on August 18, 2017 effective October 6, 2017 that directs the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) to establish a traffic congestion relief program. This includes, but is not limited to, implementing variable time-of-day pricing based on traffic congestion. The OTC is directed to seek necessary approval from FHWA to implement value pricing. It requires that value pricing be implemented, upon receipt of FHWA approval, on Interstate 205 and on Interstate 5 between the interchange with Interstate 205 and the Washington border; authorizes OTC to implement congestion pricing in other areas of the State; and creates a Congestion Relief Fund specifying that revenues from value pricing are to be deposited into the fund. Figure 2 below presents a depiction of the I-205 and I-5 value pricing study corridor). The ODOT is planning to engage in dialogue with all regional stakeholders to discuss the alternatives and establish the best pricing plan for the selected corridor. The ODOT is also planning to evaluate the Federal government's tolerance limits for tolling prices and request for waivers, if required.

Figure 2: Map of Oregon DOT RCPW study corridors for value pricing. The portions of I-5 and I-205 shown in gold represent the study corridor between the I-5 and I-205 interchange and the Washington state border.

Figure 2. Map. ODOT I-205 and I-5 Study Corridor for Value Pricing. Source: ODOT

PENNSYLVANIA DOT (PENNDOT)

Following the workshop, SPC desires to study the conversion from HOV to HOT lane facility. Figure 3 below depicts the area of interest for possible consideration of congestion pricing. Currently, PennDOT has a reversible two-lane HOV facility on I-279.

Figure 3: Map of Pennsylvania DOT HOV to HOT lane study area. The study areas are shown in green and represent I-279 between the I-579 interchange and Perrysville Ave., inclusive of the ramps at Perrysville Ave., McKnight Rd., Anderson St., and Stadium Dr., as well as the stretch of I-579 south spanning the interchange with I-279 and the Bedford Ave. ramp.

Figure 3. Map. PennDOT I-279 HOV Lane Study Area. Source: PennDOT

Previous | Next