High-Occupancy-Toll and Express Bus Lanes
After 50 years of major highway expansion, it's clear that we can’t build our way out of congestion. Road pricing, however, offers a range of ways to get the most out of our current highway system and improve transportation for everyone, from solo drivers to transit riders.
In the Bay Area we can use variable bridge tolls, High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, and congestion pricing. But to meet the dual goals of reducing congestion and global warming pollution, HOT lanes and other mechanisms must improve other transportation choices and promote more carpooling and express bus use.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has proposed a HOT network throughout the Bay Area. They are likely to introduce legislation in 2009 that would enable them to initiate such a system. The proposal would complete the High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane network and allow single-occupancy vehicles to enter the lanes if drivers pay a toll. If demand is high enough, existing lanes could be converted to HOT lanes in the future.
VTA, in Santa Clara County, has also looking at HOT lanes, and is now doing outreach for a pilot project. And the very first demonstration on I-680 South may be opened as early as 2009.
TransForm believes funds generated by HOT lanes should implement operational improvements in those corridors and provide new transit alternatives.
It is also critical that these lanes decrease the overall cost of transportation to low-income commuters through transit fare subsidies, free or discount use of the lanes at certain times, and other mechanisms.
While some HOT revenues may accelerate the construction of final segments of the HOV/HOT system, TransForm would oppose the program if it anticipated building additional lanes beyond currently planned HOV gap closures.
During the coming year TransForm and Urban Habitat will work together to ensure environmental and equity issues are at the top of the agenda with HOV lane implementation. For more information or to get involved contact Carli Paine.
