Description
High occupancy toll lanes offer variable toll rates to manage congestion and encourage carpooling by providing faster travel times for high-occupancy vehicles and toll-paying motorists.
Implementation Details
- Collaborate with Caltrans D8 and Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) to analyze High Occupancy Toll lane feasibility along the I-10 Corridor east of SR-60 through focusing on integrating SunLine Commuter Link 220 and future CV Link connections.
- Pursue pilot programs for toll credits or exemptions for registered carpools and vanpools serving major employers (e.g., hotels, logistics warehouses).
- Offer SunLine riders free or reduced tolls during peak hours on future HOT segments by verifying fare payment through SunFares accounts or QR codes.
- Develop an equity-based HOT lane subsidy program targeting Disadvantaged Communities (DACs).
- Incorporate HOT strategies into VMT mitigation conditions for large developments near I-10, such as logistics centers.
Mitigation Potential
HOT lanes increase the cost to drive, discouraging unnecessary trips. Pricing can encourage sustainable mode alternatives, such as carpooling or ridesharing. Impacts on VMT will vary depending on the length, locations, and restrictions deployed. The effectiveness of tolls depends on origin and destination patterns. Insights from before and after toll road implementation in similar land use contexts to Coachella Valley would yield an estimate of potential for VMT reduction.
Linked Strategies
Equity Considerations
To ensure HOT lanes do not worsen mobility inequities, programs can offer toll discounts or exemptions for income-eligible users, especially in areas with limited transit access. Equitable design includes multilingual outreach, simplified eligibility verification, and integrated fare platforms for carpoolers using SunLine or other shared modes.
Funding Sources
Requires significant funding to construct and implement, plus continued funding for maintenance and operations. Funding sources include the Surface Transportation Block Grant & Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Programs (Southern California Council of Governments), the Solutions for Congested Corridors Program (California Transportation Commission), and the INFRA and MEGA Grants (U.S. Department of Transportation / Federal Highway Administration).
Examples/Case Studies
Metro I-105 Toll Lane Equity Assessment – South Bay Cities Council of Governments
The Metro I-105 Toll Lane Equity Assessment is project undertaken by LA Metro, focusing on improving mobility and quality of life along the I-105 corridor. This assessment is part of the broader initiative, identifying and prioritizing potential transportation projects that can be funded with future net toll revenue from the I-105 ExpressLanes. Key objectives of the equity assessment include enhancing accessibility, connectivity, and safety within the corridor, which spans cities such as El Segundo, Inglewood, Hawthorne, Los Angeles, Lynwood, South Gate, Paramount, Downey, Norwalk, and surrounding unincorporated areas of LA County. Projects are categorized into Active Transportation, Transit, and Roadway improvements, in line with net toll grant guidelines.
Next Generation Bay Area Freeways Study
The Next Generation Bay Area Freeways Study, launched by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) in early 2022, aims to address congestion issues by exploring the feasibility of tolling certain Bay Area freeways. This study is part of the broader vision set forth in Plan Bay Area 2050, which includes freeway tolling as one of 35 interconnected strategies to improve transportation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The study focuses on analyzing the costs, benefits, and public support for freeway tolling, and involves thorough technical analysis, stakeholder engagement, and community feedback. Multiple advisory groups and rounds of community engagement are integral to refining potential pathways, which combine pricing strategies and complementary measures to enhance high-speed travel reliability and environmental sustainability.