Charlotte Region Fast Lanes Study Presentation at 6th Annual Transportation Summit Charlotte Chamber December 18, 2008

AGENDA Managed Lanes: National and Charlotte Region Perspectives Review of Fast Lanes Study Background and Status Phase 1 Results & Phase 2 Status

Managed Lanes: National and Charlotte Region Perspectives

What Are Managed or Fast Lanes? Dedicated lane system for one or more user groups Proactively managed to provide reliability and unimpeded travel during peak demand periods So that future operating capacity is preserved After Before Orange County, SR-91

Managed Lane Benefits System Benefits Greater throughput Opens up mainline capacity Encourages transit & carpool use Preserves options in corridor Decreased fuel consumption Improved air quality Revenue generation Transit Lane, NJ Truck Lanes, NJ User Benefits Reliable travel time Reduced delay More Choices

Managed Lane Strategies Eligibility/Occupancy Access Control Variable Pricing Active Traffic Management

Managing Throughput means more efficiency LOS F=1400 vph/lane at 25 mph LOS C=1600 vph/lane at 60 mph

Types of HOV/ Managed Lane Designs Not separated I-5, Portland Buffer separated I-405, Orange Co, CA Barrier separated US- 59, Houston Pylon separation, SR- 91, Orange Co. CA

What are HOT Lanes? Managed priced lanes giving preference to HOVs. I-394 Minneapolis Managed priced lanes giving preference to HOVs. Highest HOVs are typically free. Offers unimpeded travel and reliability benefits during peak periods SR 91, Orange County

HOT Lane Tolling Applications Cashless operation: most accepted means of implementing HOT Lanes Roadside or overhead radio frequency devices, interoperable throughout the East Coast

HOT Lane Tolling Applications On-board vehicle identification units in passing vehicles Vehicle ID is combined with other real-time transaction data (current toll rate) and processed against toll account

HOT Lane Tolling Applications Tolls could be determined by traffic conditions by time-of-day Tolls may change in real-time or according to a fixed schedule

Where Freeway HOV Lanes Are Located This map shows where most HOV projects are currently located. High concentrations of these treatments exist in the most congested urban areas, primarily on the East and West coasts. Only six projects have been terminated for a number of reasons since 1976. The projects in red represent project terminations. The projects in orange are the first value pricing demonstrations to be tested on HOV lanes.

Where HOT Lanes Are Located/Being Planned HOV lanes HOT lanes Proposed This map shows where most HOV projects are currently located. High concentrations of these treatments exist in the most congested urban areas, primarily on the East and West coasts. Only six projects have been terminated for a number of reasons since 1976. The projects in red represent project terminations. The projects in orange are the first value pricing demonstrations to be tested on HOV lanes.

Where Truck Lanes Are Located/Proposed HOV lanes HOT lanes Truck lanes Proposed Proposed This map shows where most HOV projects are currently located. High concentrations of these treatments exist in the most congested urban areas, primarily on the East and West coasts. Only six projects have been terminated for a number of reasons since 1976. The projects in red represent project terminations. The projects in orange are the first value pricing demonstrations to be tested on HOV lanes.

Where Other Types Of Managed Lanes Are Proposed HOV lanes HOT lanes Truck lanes Toll/express Multiple lanes and concepts Proposed Proposed This map shows where most HOV projects are currently located. High concentrations of these treatments exist in the most congested urban areas, primarily on the East and West coasts. Only six projects have been terminated for a number of reasons since 1976. The projects in red represent project terminations. The projects in orange are the first value pricing demonstrations to be tested on HOV lanes.

Lessons Learned Be realistic with expectations Don’t take anything away that will be missed Toll demand on managed lanes is highly discretionary Capital cost recovery through tolling typically requires more than one lane and restricting free use Agency partnering is critical

Existing I-77 HOV Lanes, Charlotte State’s first HOV Facility and only HOV lanes in the Carolinas, opened in 2004 Restricted to vehicles with 2+ occupants, buses & motorcycles at all times (24/7) HOV lane carries 1000 persons in peak direction in AM peak hour in 300 vehicles Average general purpose lane carries 1700 persons in 1600 vehicles during same period

Existing I-77 HOV Lanes, Charlotte Access Prohibited Double white solid lines Continuous Access Wide single white skip line

Review of Fast Lanes Study: Background and Status

Study Background Began in June 2007 Co-managed by N.C. Department of Transportation and City of Charlotte Analyzing 12 corridors in nine-county region for managed lanes feasibility Organizations throughout the region are helping to fund the study

Study Corridors (340 Miles)

Study Partners Cabarrus-Rowan MPO Gaston Urban Area MPO Lake Norman Rural Planning Organization Mecklenburg-Union MPO North Carolina Department of Transportation Rock Hill-Fort Mill Area Transportation Study Rocky River Rural Planning Organization South Carolina Department of Transportation Town of Mooresville

Why Consider Fast Lanes in This Region? Travel demand is growing faster than population Rush-hour congestion is expanding into more hours Travel patterns are diverse Travel distances are increasing $65 billion gap between projected needs and future revenues in North Carolina alone to the year 2030 $41 billion gap identified in South Carolina in 2005

Feasibility Study Purpose Are there any potential corridors where HOV, HOT or Truck-Only Toll (TOT) Lanes are viable Where and how these facilities might be connected to form a regional Fast Lanes system

Fast Lanes Study: Review of Phase 1 Results And Phase 2 Status

Two-Phase Study Process Phase 1 screening designed to quickly identify most promising corridors Phase 2 involves detailed evaluation of most promising roadways

Phase 1 Screening Criteria Presence of Congestion HOV Demand HOT/TOT Demand Physical Attributes

Phase 1 Screening Results About 167 miles (49%) advanced to Phase 2 HOV and HOT options appear most feasible Primary corridors moving to second phase: I-85 North and South I-77 North and South US-74 East I-485 South, West & Northeast NC-16 West

Phase 1 Screening Results

Phase 2 Answers… Type of lane treatment Type of operation strategy HOV and HOT policy Truck potential Revenue potential (based on toll optimization model and different pricing strategies) Access Connectivity Packaging/Phasing

Study Schedule

I-77 North Feasibility Studies Address congestion along I-77 North in short and long-term periods Financed with Federal and State funds Analysis of HOV lane extension to Exit 30 in Davidson Assessment of converting HOV lanes to HOT facility Feasibility of operating traffic on shoulders until freeway is widened Studies begin in January 2009

http://www.fastlanes.org/