Managed Lanes in Washington State

Tyler PattersonWSDOT Toll Operations Engineer

and

Todd MerkensWSDOT Tolling Engineer

Agency Working Group for Managed Lanes - WebinarMay 2, 2012

Paula HammondSecretary of Transportation

Steve ReinmuthChief of Staff

Dave DyeDeputy Secretary

Washington state HOV system• Planned 320 mile system in the

Central Puget Sound Region• Approximately 220 miles

built• Very well utilized during peak

periods

• Operations:• Continuous access• 2+ occupancy requirement

(with a few exceptions)• I-5 HOV lanes operate 24/7• Other HOV lanes operate 5

am to 7 pm• Double-white lines in some

places to prevent unsafe maneuvers.

SR 167 HOT Lane Features

• Free to buses, 2+ carpools and motorcycles

• Solo drivers pay a single toll to travel any distance on 10-mile route

• Single HOT lane in each direction

• HOT lane separated from GP lanes by double-white line, which is illegal to cross.

• Electronic signs indicate the toll rate before each entry point

• 10 access points

Post HOT lanes: HOV lanes were converted to a single HOT lane in each direction.

Pre-HOT lanes: SR 167 had two general purpose lanes and one

HOV lane.

Why restricted access on SR 167?

• Reduces Toll Evasion• Improved Safety• Helps Enforcement• Serves the long trips

• A Freeway within a Freeway• It was what everyone else was doing!

Future plans: converting HOV to HOT• Regional plans call for converting all

HOV lanes to HOT lanes by 2020

• WSDOT currently conducting an express toll lanes pre-design study

• Options range from converting existing HOV lane to converting HOV lane and use shoulder during peaks for a dual lane system

• Challenges• Space for buffer separation is

limited if not impossible• Location of congestion is very

dynamic and varies between AM and PM (in both directions)

What we have learned…• Additional signage needed• Modified access points• No significant change in safety

• University of Washington• As congestion increases, violations increase.• Drivers want to get into the lane when the reach the start of the queue• Very few instances of toll avoidance

• On-going complaints – Top 3• Access• Signing• Access

MnDOT’s 35W HOT lanes

• I-394 implemented with• 80% buffer separated• 20% open access

• I-35W implemented with• 20% buffer separated• 80% open access

Discussion Goals

• Open vs. Restricted Access– Revenue impacts– Safety impacts– Speed impacts– Volume impacts– Trip length impacts– Double vs. single lane – different treatments– Future flexibility

Discussion Topics

• What is the real speed differential between HOT lanes and GP lanes?– Does it matter if it’s a single HOT lane verses a dual HOT lane?– What additional space is needed if any within the cross-section of a HOT lane?

• Are there facts on toll avoidance tendencies?• What do you hear from your customers as it relates to access?• What revenue impacts are there with more access?

– Can your gross revenue be more or less?

• What trips should be served in the HOT lanes?– Long distance vs. anyone who wants to pay?

• Safety Research– 6 of one, half dozen of the other?– How much is local driver behavior a factor?

Questions?

For more information please contact

Patty RubstelloDirector of Toll Systems Development and Engineering

206-464-1249 or patty.rubstello@wsdot.wa.govor

Tyler PattersonToll Operations Engineer

206.716.1134 or pattert@wsdot.wa.gov

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