1. Managed Lanes in Washington State
Tyler Patterson
WSDOT Toll Operations Engineer
and
Todd Merkens
WSDOT Tolling Engineer
Dave Dye
Deputy Secretary
Paula Hammond
Secretary of Transportation
Steve Reinmuth
Chief of Staff
Agency Working Group for Managed Lanes - Webinar
May 2, 2012

2. 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.

3. SR 167 had two general purpose lanes and one HOV lane.
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
Pre-HOT lanes:
SR 167 had two general purpose lanes and one HOV lane.
Post HOT lanes: HOV lanes were converted to a single HOT lane in each direction.

4. 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!

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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?

10. Questions? For more information please contact Patty Rubstello
Director of Toll Systems Development and Engineering or or
Tyler Patterson
Toll Operations Engineer or