HOV & HOT Lanes

WHAT IS A HOT LANE?

• A High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lane is a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane which Single Occupant Vehicles (SOVs) can use by paying a toll.
• HOT lanes are free for carpoolers and vanpoolers.
• SOVs are allowed access when there is no congestion in lane.
• HOT lanes will remain a non-profit public asset.
• HOT lanes will allow METRO to increase usage of the existing roadways – reducing congestion on main lanes of traffic.
• METRO operates the lanes under an agreement with TxDOT.
• HOT lanes will be established on I-45 North and South, US 59 North and South and US 290. The Katy HOV lane has been converted to managed lanes and will be maintained by the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA), and will be very similar to the METRO HOV/HOT lane model.

HOW WILL HOT LANES AFFECT CURRENT HOV USERS? There will be NO CHANGE for current HOV movements Current HOV users will continue to use the lanes free of charge Current HOV users may ALWAYS access the HOT Lane during all operating hours HOV lane enforcement will be improved through more resources provided through toll revenue. BENEFITS OF HOT LANES The choice for convenient, faster travel in major travel corridors Empty space in HOV lanes will be utilized, making better use of a valuable public asset Eases congestion in main lanes and gives an alternative to avoid “bottlenecks” Reduces idling in congested traffic – helping drivers conserve fuel and improve general traffic speed Improve air quality by reducing traffic congestion Reduces HOV lane abuse by increasing law enforcement staff and the introduction of automated enforcement tools. Improves mobility faster than new construction

HOW WILL HOT LANES WORK? Automatic toll collection identifies single occupant vehicle toll – no barriers, no cash needed SOV users will enter lane through separate path – tolls will be charged to EZTag transponders SOV toll price will be posted in advance along approaches to lane SOV toll will vary based on traffic congestion – a lower speed in the HOV lane will result in a higher toll SOV toll for patron does not change after patron enters lane Violators will be fined through license plate photo technology

ENFORCEMENT AND SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS

• METRO Police will enforce and patrol
• Booth attendants will confirm the number of vehicle occupants
• License plate cameras will record violator vehicles for penalty charges
• Automated reversible gates will replace existing manual gates to provide more lane access time and easier change in direction
• Additional video surveillance will enhance enforcement practices

WHAT WILL THE REVENUES BE USED FOR?

• Additional enforcement systems and patrols
• Improved upkeep and maintenance of lanes and equipment

WHAT WILL BE THE LEVEL OF SERVICE (LOS) ON THE HOT LANES?

METRO wants to preserve and improve the LOS for commuter bus routes and vanpools on the HOV Lanes. The HOT Lanes program will provide resources and equipment to better manage occupancy restrictions on the lanes. Through the use of adjustable toll pricing, METRO will attempt to maintain a level of service of about 1,500 vehicles per hour, or an approximate speed of about 50 mph.

WHY ARE HOT LANES A SENSIBLE METHOD FOR IMPROVING HIGHWAY MOBILITY?

According to the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), "limited land availability, scarce funds, and social and environmental concerns may prevent adding new freeway lanes. The combination of these factors is forcing transportation planners and engineers to explore new ways to more effectively operate the existing transportation network. ‘Managed lanes' is one such concept that is being used successfully across the country."

By opening HOV Lanes for use by single occupant vehicles for a toll, general highway congestion may be reduced, providing the region with improved mobility without constructing new highway lanes. Toll revenues collected from HOT Lane operation will provide financial resources to operate and maintain the HOV lanes, releasing some funds for METRO to use on other mass transit projects.

AVAILABLE CAPACITY IN HOV LANES

Single Occupant Vehicles will gain access through tolls in Yellow and Blue time frames.