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| BRT and HOT Lanes |
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| BRT is "Better Rapid Transit!" |
| The Breakthrough Technologies Institute and Environmental Defense are promoting BRT as part of High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes proposed in the Washington, DC region. Our work focuses upon achieving a high quality, rapid BRT system operating on proposed HOT lanes on I-95, I-395 and I-495. Ideally, the BRT system would be financed by toll revenues, ensuring that it remains financially stable over the long term. What are HOT lanes? HOT lanes provide an uncongested right-of-way by charging variable tolls for use of the lane. Typically, the toll rate increases as congestion increases, thus using market mechanisms to control the amount of traffic on the HOT lanes. Under current proposals in Northern Virginia, only low occupancy vehicles would be charged a toll. High occupancy vehicles, such as car pools, van pools and buses, would be permitted to travel free of charge. Moreover, none of the existing free lanes would be removed. Why BRT? Although HOT lanes provide an uncongested right-of-way, they do not maximize the number of people who can take advantage of the corridor. That's because most of the vehicles using the HOT lanes are cars that carry relatively few people. BRT helps change this equation, because each vehicle in the BRT system can carry many more people than a typical car or van. Moreover, if designed properly, HOT lanes can provide revenue to support BRT construction and operations. BRT also can be designed to integrate with existing bus services, thus providing passengers with a seamless trip from home to work and back. BRT on HOT lanes can be a win-win situation, benefitting both car drivers and public transit users. BRT also can be built and operated at far lower cost than other technologies, like light rail. Sounds great, but will it work? Currently, we are conducting detailed modelling to determine the feasibility of BRT on the proposed HOT lane network in Northern Virginia. We are optimistic that a BRT system can be designed that will provide a cost-effective, attractive option for regional commuters. Nevertheless, there are challenges that must be addressed. These include: Highway Environment. Public transportation tends to work best in an urban environment with high density development clustered around transit stations. HOT lanes, however, are in the middle of a highway, making development near the stations impossible. Potential solutions include (1) local BRT service within the community that accesses HOT lanes for an uncongested run to downtown, (2) local feeder buses that serve BRT stations along the HOT lanes, (3) off-line stations that are connected to the HOT lanes by bus-only ramps, and/or (4) substantial park and ride lots with pedestrian bridge access to the BRT stations. Air Quality. Adding HOT lanes to existing freeways will attract additional car traffic. This will have an adverse impact on regional air quality and we need to better understand how to mitigate this impact. Adding a BRT system to the HOT lane network is one promising mitigation strategy. However, if the BRT system includes stations within the HOT lane right-of-way, it will be important to design the stations to protect passengers from noise and pollution impacts. Incentive to Use the BRT. By definition, a HOT lane provides drivers with an uncongested right-of way. Therefore, drivers need some incentive to use the BRT system instead of driving on the HOT lane. A potential solution is to ensure that the difference between the HOT lane toll and the BRT fare is sufficient to ensure that a substantial number of drivers will find the BRT service more attractive. We believe that this is possible, given that (1) existing HOT lanes charge drivers as much as 70 cents per mile, and (2) financial models show that toll revenues will be available to help reduce BRT fares. |
| For further information regarding the HOT/BRT project, please contact: Bill Vincent Michael Repogle General Counsel Transportation Director Breakthrough Technologies Institute Environmental Defense 1100 H Street, NW, Suite 800 1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005 Washington, DC 20009 202-785-4222 x 30 202-387-3500 vincent@fuelcells.org mrepogle@environmentaldefense.org |
| HOT Lane Proposals: I-95/395 Bus Rapid Transit/HOT Lanes System Conceptual Proposal submitted by Fluor Daniel (proposal) (executive summary) |
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| Greater Washington Board of Trade: If Congestion is the Problem, Is Pricing Part of the Solution? (slide presentation) National Council for Public-Private Partnerships: Loosening the Belt American City and County: Some like it HOT Reason Public Policy Institute: Tollroads Becoming Popular Cold Feet on Light Rail; Even the Federal Government is Having Second Thoughts The Free Lance-Star: With road taxes rejected, let's think our way out of traffic jams The Washington Post: Va. Gets $1 Billion Toll Lane Proposal HOT lanes (transcript of live discussion with VDOT official) Cato Institute: HOT Lanes: A Better Way to Attack Urban Highway Congestion Center for the New American Century: “You Cannot Avoid Traffic…” and Other Myths; High Occupancy Toll Lanes Guarantee a Congestion Free Choice Center for American Dreams: High Tax, Slow Tracks vs. Fast Roads, No Tax PotomacNews.com: County closer to HOT lanes The Connection: HOT Lanes Improve Quality of Life |
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| I-95 HOT Lanes Proposal submitted by Clark/SCC/KPRI (project description) (executive summary) |
| Breakthrough Technologies Institute Presentations: Presentation of Initial Results of our Modeling Work (May 11, 2005) Presentation to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (December 2004). |
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