Developing a Regional Express Lane Network Hercules City Council Meeting April 28, 2009 Doug Kimsey MTC Planning Director.

Developing a Regional Express Lane Network

Hercules City Council Meeting

April 28, 2009

Doug Kimsey

MTC Planning Director

“Top 10” Common Questions:

1. What are Express Lanes?2. Why a Regional Express Lane Network?3. What legal authority exists to implement Express Lanes?4. What will it cost and how much revenue will be

generated?5. How will toll revenues be spent and who decides?6. Why not take a lane where HOV doesn’t exist?7. What will be the impact on carpooling and buses

currently operating in HOV lanes?8. Are Express Lanes equitable?9. What are some of the benefits of Express Lanes?10. Where do we go from here?

What are Express Lanes?

• High-Occupancy/ Toll Lanes; Express Lanes

• HOV lanes with a twist

Morning Evening

5:00 – 6:00 $0.50 Noon – 3:00 $0.50

6:00 – 6:45 $1.75 3:00 – 3:30 $1.50

6:45 – 7:15 $2.75 3:30 – 4:30 $2.00

7:15 – 8:15 $3.25 4:30 – 6:00 $3.25

8:15 – 8:45 $2.75 6:00 – 7:00 $1.50

8:45 – 10:00 $1.75 7:00 – 3:00 am

$0.50

I-25 Express Lanes Toll Schedule

• Carpools, buses free • Single drivers can

choose to pay (congestion insurance)

• Electronic tolls• Variable tolls to

manage demand

Why a Regional Express Lane Network?

• Proven corridor/system management tool• Makes best use of capacity• Encourages more carpooling and express bus

• Sea change in transportation funding• Federal and state accounts going broke• National and international trend toward user fees• Regionally controlled revenue – traditional funding

freed up

• Introduces road pricing concept

• Completes the regional HOV system – 30 years in the making – over 20 years faster than traditional public funding

• Consolidates current/planned express lanes under one organization

Proven Corridor Management Tool

-40% -20% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120%

Improved Travel Speeds(Minneapolis) 5%

Increased Carpooling (San Diego) 58%

Doubled Vehicle Throughput(Orange County) 100%

Fewer Delays Reported(Minneapolis) 20%

Reduced crashes (Minneapolis) 12%

European/Asian Model:Cordon/Area PricingStockholm

Singapore

London

HOT Lanes Across the Country

• Orange County (1995)

• San Diego (1998)

• Houston (1998)

• Minneapolis (2005)

• Denver (2006)

• Seattle (2008)

• San Diego extension (2008)

• Miami (2008)

• Houston expansion (2009)

• Los Angeles (2010)

• Bay Area I-680, I-580 (2010)

• Bay Area Rte 85/US 101 (2012/2013)

• Riverside (2015)

Bay Area NetworkBay Area Network

• Limited and purposeful freeway widening

• 800 miles total• 500 miles conversion

(63%)• 400 existing• 100 fully funded

• 300 miles new lanes (37%)• 60% are “gap closures” • 5% increase in

freeway mileage• Why not take a lane?

• Lane configurations inconsistent

• Concept will be explored where feasible (SM 101)

• Limited footprint8

Phased ApproachPhased Approach

• Phase 1• Existing projects in

development

• Phase 2• Easier conversion

projects

• Extremely constrained areas developed last• I-80 inner East Bay• 680/24 interchange 9

I-580

I-680South

US 101,SR 85 & 237

What legal authority exists to implement Express Lanes?

• Alameda and Santa Clara Counties currently have authority to develop and operate initial HOT lanes

• AB 744 Torrico seeks to give BATA authority to develop and operate the Regional Express Lane Network

• A regional steering committee comprised of CMAs, Caltrans, CHP and BATA would advise BATA board

• Corridor-based regional network• BATA would serve as financier

What legal authority exists to implement Express Lanes? (cont.)

• Corridor-based regional network • Corridor Working Groups will develop

Corridor Improvement Plans (CIP) to recommend:

− occupancy and tolling policies,− express lane phasing, − use of corridor net revenues.

• BATA as financier• Develop investment grade cost and revenue

forecasts for bonding purposes• Develop regional network phasing plan to

guide network implementation

• RTP network revenues were based on planning level financial estimates

• Costs assume Rapid Delivery model

Gross revenue $13.7 B

Capital cost $3.7 B

Financing cost $1.9 B

O&M cost $2.0 B

Net Revenue $6.1 B

What will it cost and how much revenue will be generated?

2009 through 2033, escalated

How will toll revenues be spent, and who decides?

1. Debt service and financing costs for phased network development (BATA)

2. Operations and maintenance of the toll network (BATA)

3. Corridor investments - 95% of net revenues to the corridor where generated - (CWGs)• Transit • Corridor projects that reduce vehicle emissions

and provide cost-effective public transit options

Limited Access Models

Transition Lanes:

Bay Area (I-680 Sunol)

Not likely feasible in some areas

Weave Lanes:

Minneapolis HOT (I-394, I-35)

Seattle HOT (SR 167)

LA HOV and HOT (I-210, I-10, I-110)

Atlanta HOT (I-85)

Two-Lanes:

Alameda (I-580), Santa Clara Counties (SR 85, US 101)

considering; not included in Transportation 2035

- May have cost, feasibility and environmental considerations

Continuous Access: future feasibility TBD

Impact on Buses & Carpooling?

• State and Federal law: HOT lanes must remain free flowing; tolls set accordingly

• HOT network closes gaps to better serve buses and carpools, which are still free

• Experience shows HOT lanes do not discourage carpools• Provides new revenue source for transit that can help

support transit service such as express bus service

Good Track Record for Carpool Growth

San Diego I-15: 13% annual carpool growth; higher than other corridors (2007 – 2003)

Orange County SR 91: 40% growth in 3+ carpools after opening

Denver I-25: growth in carpools higher than tolled vehicles (2007)

Are Express Lanes Equitable?

79%70%

55%

21%30%

45%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Lower-Income Mid-Income Higher-Income

Yes No

• High income travelers use HOT more & pay more

• Lower income travelers use when travel time savings needed

• Carpooling and bus remain as lower cost options

• Net revenue can fund transit improvements

• Seattle: Chevrolets and Fords more common than luxury makes by factor of 1,000

Have you ever used the MnPass Lane?

HOT Lanes Used by All Income Levels (I-394 Corridor Minneapolis)

Source: NuSTATS (8/06)

Desired Network Reduces Emissions Compared to HOV in 2030

Percent Change in AM Peak Period Emissions (7 - 9 AM)

-10%

-7%

-3%

-2%

-15% -10% -5% 0%

PM10

CO2

NOx

ROG

Where do we go from here?

• Coalition building on AB 744• Continue design discussions• Develop phasing and implementation

plan• Coordination with ongoing corridor

management efforts (ICM and FPI)• Ongoing education and outreach

For More Info:

This Presentation:

http://www.mtc.ca.gov/meetings/presentations/index.htm

General Express Lane info:

http://www.mtc.ca.gov/planning/hov/