Title: I-394 MnPASS: Innovations on High Occupancy Toll Lanes
Abstract: This paper describes how the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) is implementing the state’s first optional toll lane project called the I-394 MnPASS Express Lanes in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. This project, becoming operational in May 2005, converts the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-394 into high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes allowing solo drivers the opportunity to pay an electronic fee to bypass congestion. The lanes remain open to HOV use at no charge including transit riders, car pools and motorcyclists. I-394 MnPASS is the first attempt anywhere to introduce tolling on a facility directly adjacent to general purpose “free” lanes separated only by a double-white stripe buffer. A number of other innovative development, operations, tolling and enforcement features are being tested on the I-394 MnPASS. HOT lanes are increasingly being used and considered around the United States as a means to better manage underused HOV lanes. While the HOT lane concept preserves the priority and capacity of these designated facilities for transit and carpools, it also improves efficiency and enhances mobility in corridors by pricing currently unused capacity. A premium level of service is maintained for all by setting the price at a rate to ensure free flow. Travel in adjacent general purpose lanes may also improve because paying vehicles are no longer in those lanes. Innovations being introduced on the I-394 MnPASS express lanes project may assist other road pricing plans as this concept matures and is refined.
Publication Year: 2005
Publication Date: 2005-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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