When a driver with valid Good To Go transponder enters the HOT lanes, the transponder is “read” and a light flashes to indicate the driver has paid.

Good To Go high-tech toll collection system that allows customers to paytolls electronically while traveling at highway speeds and without leaving the highway to stop at a tollbooth. The toll is automatically deducted from the prepaid Good To Go account via a window transponder.

Making Highways Smarter

In addition to analyzing the costs and benefits of adding general-purpose lanes to SR 167, the project team also examined how the lanes would perform as high-occupancy toll lanes. HOT lanes have been successful and popular other states, such as California, Texas, Minnesota and Colorado.

Next spring, the SR 167 HOT Lane Pilot Project will give local drivers the opportunity to try out the first HOT lanes in our state. The project will convert nine miles of HOV lanes on SR 167 to HOT lanes giving solo drivers who are Good To Go the option of using the HOV lanes by paying a toll. Buses, vanpools, carpools and motorcycles will continue to use the lanes toll-free.

HOT lanes can maintain speeds of 45 mph or more on average using a flexible toll rate to regulate the number of tolled-vehicles that enter the lane. HOT lanes not only give drivers the option of paying for a faster trip, they also improve the efficiency of the roadway.

When traffic jams occur, fewer cars can move along a highway lane. Traffic jams don't typically occur in HOT lanes, so traffic flow is increased by about 50 percent when compared with congested general purpose lanes (see table below). HOT lanes will also preserve a lane for transit as congestion in the region continues to grow.

SR 91 Express Lanes in California

Two toll-managed lanes carry as much peak-hour traffic – at three times the speed – as moved in four free, but congested lanes.