6 Fundamentals You Should Know

Managed Lanes in Your Future?

If managed lanes are in your future, you are sure to have questions. Our transportation practice answers 6 of the most commonly asked questions here.

1

Picture or Color BlockPicture or Color BlockWhat are managed

lanes?

Managed lanes are toll lanes that are usually located within or directly adjacent to an existing corridor.

In order to minimize disruption to existing free lanes and provide maximum time savings in the managed lane, the ingress and egress are evaluated and usually located only at key locations.

These lanes are typically controlled by toll variations to maximize the use of the managed lanes while ensuring a minimum speed and congestion level. This toll variation can be accomplished through the use of dynamic tolling, congestion management or static tolling.

2

Picture or Color BlockPicture or Color BlockWhat are the benefits of

managed lanes?

Predictable travel times for peak hour commuters

Relieves congestion on free lanes and arterials

A method to quickly introduce a toll element to offset project costs

3

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What are examples of different types of managed lanes?

Managed lanes come in several variations. They are distinguishable by either their separation from the free travel lanes or the tolling strategy.

Depending on the application and whether the managed lane is retrofitted, managed lanes can be separated from free lanes in a number of ways, including buffer (solid white stripe), pylon or barrier separated. Additionally, managed lanes can run on a separate alignment altogether within or adjacent to the existing corridor.

Ingress/egress applications into and out of a managed lane can distinguish the lane. There are three main types of ingress/egress: slip ramps; T-ramps; and wishbone ramps. All have a unique application and pros and cons.

The tolling strategy also helps define a managed lane and can generally be accommodated through dynamic tolling, congestion management or static tolling.

4

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Can existing roadways be modified to accommodate managed lanes?

Yes. In fact, this is one of the key benefits of managed lanes. Existing roadways can be retrofitted quickly. While some roadways require significant reconstruction, many roadways can be retrofitted by using the existing median in an interim-type solution.

5

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What factors need to be considered before implementing a managed lanes strategy?

• Congestion of the existing roadway(s)

• Cost of implementation• Well-established origins

and destinations• Ability to accommodate

longer trips (typically, the longer the managed lane the more successful)

• Local tolling policy• Consistency with local

long-range plans• Type of roadway

(arterial, freeway, etc.)• Alternative routes in

the vicinity that may compete with a toll element

6

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What is the status of managed lanes development in the United States?

Managed lanes projects are gaining popularity around the nation as alternatives are sought to relieve congestion and provide revenue stream.

Our involvement alone stands at 50 managed lanes/tolling projects in the past 10 years.

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We have been at the leading edge in all aspects of managed lanes development—from planning/environmental, design and travel demand modeling to financing and program management.

Specifically, we have developed managed lanes on projects such as SR 91 in California, the DFW Connector in Texas and I-75 in Florida, to name a few.

More questions?Ask our Managed Lanes Practice LeadContact Brian Swindell