So You Want to Make a High-Occupancy Toll Lane?: Project Manager's Guide for Conversion from High-Occupancy Vehicle Lane to High-Occupancy Toll Lane

Abstract

Although high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes have been studied or have existed for more than 10 years, the continuing developmental nature of these concepts means that there is little guidance for project managers on how to manage the process of converting a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane to a HOT lane. Many guidelines have been published about the technical elements of HOT lane development and operations. A project manager of an HOV to HOT lane conversion process would face issues that differ from those of the typical highway construction project, and managing these issues can be difficult and arduous. The intent of this paper is to address issues from the perspective of the implementing agency's project manager. Eight specific issues to be addressed within the conceptual development of the HOT lane conversion process are identified here: (a) presence of significant and predictable excess capacity in the HOV lanes, (b) presence of significant and recurring congestion in the adjacent general purpose lanes, (c) nature of traffic separation on the HOV lanes, (d) primary means of funding for the HOV lanes, (e) identification of the HOT lane program's primary objective, (f) determination of the appropriate implementing agency, (g) avoidance of overwhelming public opposition, and (h) ability to build political support for the process. This paper has summarized the first of what the authors see as four steps to the successful conversion of an HOV lane to a HOT lane: conceptual development. Planned subsequent papers will address the remaining three steps: program design, implementation, and ongoing operations.

A Bi-Level Framework for Pricing of High-Occupancy Toll Lanes

“…The following conditions must be satisfied to avoid adverse effects. Dahlgren (2002) and Ungemah, Swisher (2006) showed that (1) recurring congestion in the GP lanes and (2) unused capacity in the HOV lane are two necessary conditions that ensure successful implementation of a HOT lane. To check these conditions, we analysed 30-sec, aggregated traffic data that were collected via inductive loop detectors installed on the expressway.…”

I'll Tell you What I Think!

“…Transportation professionals, including planners, engineers, and economists, are often interested in tolling and pricing as they relate to overall system management, peak-period trip reduction, and revenue generation. Although there is a temptation to view tolls as a silverbullet solution, tolling should be proposed in the context of other elements of an overall regional transportation strategy, including land use regulations, transportation demand management strategies, intelligent transportation systems technologies, and transit (19).…”

Development of a dynamic, feedback-based and self-calibrating tolling algorithm for a high occupancy/toll lane

“…HOT lanes have existed for many years but there are no set standards or guidelines for engineers, planners and project managers regarding how to implement, operate and maintain such 37 facilities. A study by Ungemah et al (2006) Stated preference surveys are commonly used for proposed facilities and revealed 38 preference surveys for existing facilities. Public opinion is often an important factor when deciding whether or not to build a new transportation facility and how to operate it, so some studies consider public opinion.…”