HOT Lanes
A Strategy with Sizzle

The solutions to mounting traffic congestion have taken many forms. Tolled expressways, public transportation systems, major corridor widenings, and the addition of high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes are some of the solutions being implemented across the U.S. Now these transportation options are the foundation for a new strategy: high-occupancy tolled (HOT) lanes.

In a HOT lane, single travelers willing to pay a toll can travel in HOV lanes previously designated for buses and carpool vehicles. For the most part, these reserve lanes have been underutilized by nearly 85 percent, while general-use lanes remain bumper-to-bumper during peak travel periods.

“The concept is to better utilize these HOV lanes,” says Massoud Moradi, P.E., a senior tolls consultant in PBS&J’s Integrated Management Solutions (IMS) Division, “and get 50 to 60 percent more use, while generating revenue to finance operational improvements and expansion.”

According to Moradi and others in his industry, the expanded use
of HOV lanes will help to manage congestion by letting commuters decide how much their time is worth. “Similar to services such as electricity and cellular telephones during peak-hour usage, pricing on managed lanes will fluctuate with traffic flow in general-use lanes,” Moradi explains, adding that new managed lanes will offer variable-rate tolls to control the flow of traffic, making sure that the commuter in the managed lane is getting the best service for his or her money. As traffic diverts to managed lanes during peak travel times, travelers in all lanes will benefit from a reduction in congestion.

Discussion of HOT lanes inevitably raises the question of who really benefits? HOT lanes have been referred to as 'Lexus lanes,' connoting their use only by the wealthy or those who can afford to pay a toll. According to a report by the Reason Public Policy Institute, a public-policy think tank based in Los Angeles, surveys in California indicate widespread public acceptance of the HOT-lane concept and usage by commuters in all income brackets.

HOT lanes are equally attractive in urban communities because they can be built on existing infrastructure using HOV lanes already in place or median right-of-way designated for widening. Existing electronic toll collection technology can be incorporated into the system to eliminate the delays and facilities associated with cash transactions.

Experts like Moradi believe that as the use of HOT lanes becomes more prevalent and the systems begin to generate revenue, expansion can be justified that will further improve traffic conditions. “As revenue is used to expand transportation corridors, mass transit systems will be able to offer a wider range of destinations providing incentive for travelers to utilize public transportation further alleviating traffic congestion,” he says. “In the end, the revenue from HOT lanes reduces transportation costs to taxpayers and provides additional tools that will enhance our transportation infrastructure and help to manage the traffic congestion issue.”