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

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

3. Managed Lanes: National and Charlotte Region Perspectives

4. 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

5. 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

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

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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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 The projects in red represent project terminations. The projects in orange are the first value pricing demonstrations to be tested on HOV lanes.

14. 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 The projects in red represent project terminations. The projects in orange are the first value pricing demonstrations to be tested on HOV lanes.

15. 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 The projects in red represent project terminations. The projects in orange are the first value pricing demonstrations to be tested on HOV lanes.

16. 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 The projects in red represent project terminations. The projects in orange are the first value pricing demonstrations to be tested on HOV lanes.

17. 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

18. 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

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

20. Review of Fast Lanes Study: Background and Status

21. 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

22. Study Corridors (340 Miles)

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

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

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

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

29. 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

30. Phase 1 Screening Results

31. 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

32. Study Schedule

33. 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