Garden State Parkway HOT Lanes By Matt Lawson October 14, 2010

Outline General introduction to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes Existing conditions on Garden State Parkway Transitioning GSP express lanes to HOT lanes –Construction –Operation Benefits and resulting outcomes

High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes Tolled lanes operating alongside highways Provide travelers with a faster, more reliable option Gives non-HOVs access to HOV lanes Dynamic pricing to reduce congestion and increase level of service Eligibility, Access, and Pricing

Eligibility Who can use HOT lanes? Anyone with an EZ-pass transponder –Buses and high occupancy vehicles are always eligible –Non-HOVs are eligible if they pay a toll (or an additional toll)

Access How do you get on HOT lanes? Through toll plaza Through physical ramps Through marked “slip ramps” Limited access –High speeds, faster travel times

Pricing Free for buses and HOVs Non-HOVs have option to pay higher toll for access to HOT lanes Dynamic pricing of tolls controls access and ensures a high level of service As traffic increases, tolls increase

Examples of HOT Programs I-10 in Houston –HOT lane users save 20min per trip –Average speed in general lanes – 25 mph –Average speed in HOT lanes – 59 mph SR-91 Express lanes in Southern California –30 min saved during AM & PM commutes –Only 25% vehicles that pay HOT toll are in the highest income level Express lanes in Minneapolis –20 mph increase in speed Under Construction: –Capital Beltway Corridor in Virginia –I-15 North of San Diego (existing HOT upgraded to managed lanes)

Garden State Parkway 172 mile long limited access toll parkway 25 miles of 2-3 express lanes in each direction from milepost 100 to 125 Northbound congestion –Weekday A.M. peaks –Sundays during summer months Southbound congestion –Weekday P.M peaks –Friday/Saturday during summer months

Existing Express and Local Lanes Milepost 100 Northbound EZ-pass express toll plaza Local toll plaza Merging section Roadway divides to express or local lanes Similar layout at milepost 125 Southbound

Proposed Transition of Express to HOT Physical Changes –Use Existing expressway –Use Existing toll plazas –Extend median from toll to express/local divider –Signage (VMS/CMS) –Close other access ramps to expressway

Proposed Transition of Express to HOT Operational Changes –Traffic counts –Updated toll prices –Distinguishing HOV from Non-HOV Lock onto toll rate when entering toll –Enforcement –Incident management

Pricing HOT Lanes –Buses and HOVs pay existing $1.00 toll –Non-HOVs pay higher price depending on traffic volumes $ $2.00 during period of very low flow $ $5.00 during heavy flow $8.00 and up during gridlock, construction or accident Local Lanes –All vehicles pay existing $1.00 toll

Benefits Improved reliability and travel time Encourages carpooling and public transit for commuters Encourages family or group trips Reduced fuel consumption & emissions Overall improvement to level of service Increase revenues