HOT lanes have a track record
HOT lanes have been successful and popular in other U.S. states -- they are in operation in California, Texas, Minnesota and Colorado. In developing the SR 167 HOT Lanes Pilot Project here in Washington, the project team researched these existing HOT lanes and found they are successful at moving more people and vehicles through the corridor in which they operated. The experiences also indicate that public support for HOT lanes increases after they open and the results become apparent.
Fair for all
Other HOT lane projects have demonstrated that traffic flow is improved not only in the carpool lane, but in all of the general purpose lanes as well. That means even those who choose not to pay to use the HOT lanes feel the benefit.
According to a 118-page MnDOT HOT lanes user panel survey report, support for HOT lanes was consistent across all income groups – 71% higher income, 61% middle income and 64% lower income. When asked a more specific question – “Do HOT lanes only benefit the rich?” – more high-income people said yes (13 percent) than low-income drivers (11 percent).
no inequalities in benefit based on user income. Reports state that drivers from all income levels use HOT lanes and value the congestion relief that occurs in all lanes.
Peer Review
In November, WSDOT's SR 167 HOT lanes project team invited officials from other HOT lanes facilities around the country for a two-day peer review session. Read the final report.