February 26, 2012

Managed Lanes Overview

Dr. Adrian MooreVice PresidentReason Foundationhttp://reason.org

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Key Issues: OUTLINE

What are Managed Lanes? Where Are Managed Lanes

Nationwide Key concerns about Managed

Lanes Benefits of Managed Lanes

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What Are Managed Lanes?

Specialized, rather than General Purpose, lanes

Variable pricing, to keep traffic flowing uncongested

Usually limited to cars, vans, buses

Two ways to create:– Conversion of under-performing

HOV lanes– Creation of new lanes (added

capacity)

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Managed Lanes Projects, 2011

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Managed Lanes Networks

In Long Range Transportation Plan already:– Atlanta– Dallas– Houston– San Diego– San Francisco– Seattle

Being considered:– Los Angeles– Miami-Dade/Broward/Palm Beach Counties– Washington, DC

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Typical Concerns about Managed Lanes

“Lexus Lanes”

“Paying twice”

Discouraging carpooling

Rights of way, adequate room

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The “Lexus Lanes” Issue

Data on commuter attitudes (San Diego, Seattle)

Data on usage (91X, I-15, I-394, SR 167)- High income uses somewhat more frequently- But all economic sectors use lanes at least some times when the need

to- Women slightly more likely to be users

Win-win (GP lanes benefit, too) Common-sense comparisons

(restaurants, airlines, Amtrak, Postal Service)

WSDOT Data on Managed Lanes Usage

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“We’ve Already Paid For These Lanes”

Usually applies only to conversions

Best answer: HOV-2 not working well- If empty lanes, taxpayers not getting full value from expensive pavement.- If congested, motorists aren’t getting promised benefits.

If new capacity, the money is seldom there for new GP lanes, or concerns they will simple become congested quickly.

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Do Managed Lanes Decrease Carpooling?

No evidence of carpooling decrease

Significant increase on I-15 MLs in San Diego

Conversion definitely reduces violators

Inevitable shift from HOV-2 to HOV-3 in congestedcorridors might reduce carpools in the ML itself.

Rights of Way/Room to Expand

Tampa’s elevated reversible express toll lanes—6 lanes in 6 ft

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Benefits of Managed Lanes Optimize use of all roadway capacity Increase throughput compared with GP lanes during peak periods Enables Bus Rapid Transit More choices for travelers (“congestion insurance”) Reduce emissions of increase travel Expand economic opportunity

Generates revenue to pay at least part of costs

Widespread public and political acceptance.

Current long-range transportation plans don’t reduce congestionMetro LRTP $ Transit TTIArea %Transit Mode Share 2003 2030

2005-2030 2003 2030Atlanta 38% 6.7 8.4 1.46 1.85Denver 27% 5.0 6.4 1.40 1.80Los Angeles 58% 4.8 7.4 1.75 1.94Miami 68% 4.3 5.0 1.42 1.84SF Bay 64% 6.9 7.3 1.54 1.86Honolulu50% 5.7* 8.9 1.19 1.31*2000

I-95 Miami Managed Lanes: A real success story by any measure

Daily toll traffic now exceeds 50,000 paying vehicles- 20% of total daily traffic (higher in peaks)

Annual revenue tracking at about $18-20 million - Phase I only; southbound direction only opened for 5 months- Strong return on project that cost less than $100 million to convert…

including toll systems and dynamic signing

Express Lanes above 45 MPH over 99.5% of the time Cut overall average peak period travel times in half for all

users, and by two thirds for Express Lane users!

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Spee

d (m

ph)

Travel Speeds(Northbound - PM Peak Period)

Trav

el T

ime

(8 m

ile tr

ip)

Average Peak Period Time Savings = 14 Minutes

Travel Time(Northbound Peak Period)

Impacts on Peak Period Speeds and Travel Times

After Conversion

Before Conversion

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Synergy of Managed Lanes andBus Rapid Transit (BRT)

Value-priced lane is virtual equivalent of an exclusive fixed guideway. Pricing limits vehicle flow to what’s compatible with LOS C

conditions. Reliable high speed is sustainable long-term, thanks to pricing. Miami has implemented on new I-95 Express Lanes. S.F. Bay Area planning regionwide express bus on its HOT Network.

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Managed Lanes

Main Lanes

BRT Station

Direct Access RoadTo Arterial

Direct TransitAccess Ramps

I-15 Transit Station

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Choices

Now Rail Transit Managed Lanes

Slow buses Slow buses Slow buses

Congested roads Congested roads Congested lanes

Rail Transit Free flowing Managed LaneBus Rapid Transit

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Emission Reductions FromSan Francisco Bay Area Network

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Economic Benefits of Atlanta’s ML Network (2030)

Employment-shed(with Managed Lanes)

Employment-shed(without Managed Lanes)

< 45 min.45 – 90 min.

Travel TimeOpportunity for 196% increase in workers

within 45 minutes of Downtown

Approve88%

Don’tKnow

1%

Disapprove11%

Don’tKnow

6%Disapprove28%

Approve66%

FasTrak Customer Other I-15 Users

Approval of Managed Lane Program On I-15

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Approval of Program by Group

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Age

Perc

ent A

ppro

val

Ethnicity Income ($000’s)

91 Express: A popular option

Over 150,000 Vehicles equipped with Transponders- Typically only one in five used in a

given day15-20% of total traffic uses toll lanes

- Much higher share in peak hoursPreset Variable toll rate structure

- Tolls range from about $1.00 to $10.00 for 10 mile trip

Very high level of public approval

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0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

1998Mean=5.42

1999Mean=5.55

2000Mean=5.52

2002Mean=5.77

OVERALL SATISFACTION WITH THE 91 EXPRESS LANES

Extremely satisfiedSomewhat satisfiedExtremely dissatisfied

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Ethnicity

Perc

ent A

gree

Income ($000’s)

“People who drive alone should be able to use the I-15 Express Lanes for a fee?”…. Agree or Disagree?

SomewhatAgree25%

SomewhatDisagree

5%

StronglyDisagree

5%Somewhat

Agree31%

SomewhatDisagree

11%

StronglyDisagree

14%

Don’tKnow

2%

Strongly Agree65%

StronglyAgree42%

FasTrak Customer Other I-15 Users

FasTrak Program Reduces Congestion On I-15

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Don’tKnow

5%

ExtendExpressLanes37%

AddRegularLanes26%

BuildOtherRoads21%

AddTransit

11%

ExtendExpressLanes49%

AddRegularLanes24%Build

OtherRoads13%

AddTransit

10%

Don’tKnow

4%

FasTrak Customer Other I-15 Users

Single Most Effective Wayto Reduce Congestion On I-15

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Summary

Managed Lanes have a track record of:

Improved Flow and reduced congestion

Improved Bus transit operations

Very popular where they are in place

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