About the SR 167 HOT lanes
How to use the HOT lanes
Toll costs and revenue
Rules for using the SR 167 HOT lanes
Future of SR 167 HOT lanes
Enforcement
HOT lanes across the U.S.
About the SR 167 HOT lanes
Q. What are the SR 167 HOT lanes?
A. The SR 167 high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes are high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes for carpools of two or more, vanpools and buses that are also open to solo drivers who choose to pay a toll. Toll rates adjust electronically to ensure that traffic in the HOT lane is free flowing (at least 45 miles per hour 90 percent of the time) even when the regular lanes are congested. The pilot project provides toll-free express trips for buses, vanpools, carpools of two or more and motorcycles, while giving solo drivers the option to pay for a faster, more reliable trip when they need it the most.
Q. Why SR 167?
A. HOT lanes help make better use of available space in the HOV lanes without reducing the level of service enjoyed by carpools and bus riders. SR 167 was selected for the HOT lane pilot project because, unlike most HOV lanes in the region which operate near capacity during peak commute times, the HOV lanes on SR 167 had available space during peak periods. In addition, SR 167 runs north and south, connecting communities between Renton and Tacoma, and provides the Puget Sound region with an alternative route to I-5.
Q. What is the purpose of the SR 167 HOT lanes pilot project?
A. The purpose of this pilot project is to learn how HOT lanes and other forms of variable tolling could be used in Washington State to make our highways operate more efficiently. The goal is to reduce congestion and keep people and vehicles moving.
Q. Who may use HOT lanes?
A. The following drivers may use the SR 167 HOT lanes:
- HOV drivers still have priority to use the lanes without charge.
- Drivers with a Good To Go! Pass have the option to pay to use the HOT lanes for a more reliable trip.
- Motorcycles may use the lane at no charge.
Q. How have SR 167 drivers benefited?
A. Since opening HOT lanes in May 2008:
- Northbound morning peak period and southbound afternoon peak period traffic is moving more cars and people more efficiently.
- HOT lane volumes have increased by 15 percent, making more room in the general purpose lanes.
- New pass options have increased options and decreased costs for customers.
Q. What do SR 167 HOT lanes users think?
A. Based on WSDOT’s 2011 SR 167 HOT lanes customer survey:
- Over 70 percent of customers are likely to pay to use the system again.
- 88 percent said they would use the HOT lanes to make a faster trip when they really needed to get somewhere faster.
top
How to use the HOT lanes
Q. How do I use the SR 167 HOT lanes?
A. Drivers who want to use the SR 167 HOT lanes as a solo driver must have a Good To Go! account. Carpools, vanpools and transit do not need a Good To Go! account and may use the lanes at no charge.
When a solo driver with a valid Good To Go! Pass enters the HOT lanes, an overhead sensor reads the driver’s pass and electronically debits the toll from the driver's pre-paid account.
Even though vehicles may pass through several access points, a single toll is charged for each trip in the SR 167 HOT lanes. Each solo driver pays the toll price displayed on an electronic sign over the roadway when they first enter the HOT lane. Even if the toll price increases or decreases before the vehicle exits the HOT lane, the driver pays the toll amount that was displayed upon first entering the HOT lane each trip. Get more information about how HOT lanes work by visiting SR 167 HOT Lanes User Guide.
Q. How do I establish a Good To Go! account?
A. Drivers can establish a Good To Go! account:
- Online
- By phone: 1-866-936-8246
- In person at a customer service center
- By mailing Good To Go!, P.O. Box 300321, Seattle, WA 98103
- By fax: 206-547-0496
Q. Do I have to have a Good To Go! account to use the HOT lanes?
A. No, not if you are in a carpool of two or more people or driving a motorcycle. Solo drivers wanting to use the HOT lanes will need a Good To Go! account.
Q. What if I am in a carpool? How do I prevent a charge to my Good To Go! account?
A. The Switchable Pass is well-suited for those who also use the SR 167 HOT lanes as a carpooler, as it can be turned on or off depending on the number of people in the car.
Q. Can I shield my License Plate Pass when carpooling in the HOT lane?
A. No. There is no way to prevent a license plate mounted pass from being read and charged a toll when it is used on the SR 167 HOT lanes. If you carpool in the HOT lanes, one of our other passes would be a better option.
However, many vehicle manufacturers now leave a space on the windshield free of any obstructing material so passes can be used even with specialized windshields. Please contact customer service for additional information.
Q. What are the HOT lanes hours of operation?
A. The SR 167 HOT lanes operate between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. seven days a week. Overnight (7 p.m. to 5 a.m.) the HOT lanes are open to all drivers. No passes are necessary and no tolls are charged.
Q. Are motorcycles with a Good To Go! pass charged a toll in the HOT lane?
A. No. Motorcyclists may use the HOT lane toll free. Motorcyclists with a Good To Go! Pass affixed to their headlight do not need to shield the pass. Drivers must contact the customer service center and ensure their vehicle and pass are flagged in the system as a motorcycle. The system is then able to filter out pass reads for motorcycles.
Q. Can commercial vehicles and vehicles with trailers use the HOT lane?
A. No. Trucks or vehicles over 10,000 lbs gross vehicle weight are not allowed to use the HOT lanes.
Q. Can I use Good To Go! on other tolled facilities?
A. Yes, your Good To Go! account can be used on all tolled facilities in Washington State, including the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, and SR 520 Bridge when tolling begins this spring.
Q. Why are Pass readers over both the HOT lanes and the general purpose lanes?
A. There are two sets of pass readers installed at each tolling location along SR 167 in the HOT lane corridor. The two sets of readers enable the system to pinpoint the exact lane location of a pass. This prevents vehicles with passes traveling outside the HOT lanes from being mistakenly tolled, and tolls post to accounts only for customers in the HOT lanes.
top
Toll costs and revenue
Q. How much does a solo driver pay to use the SR 167 HOT lanes?
A. The price for a solo driver to enter the HOT lane changes throughout the day based on real time traffic data. SR 167 HOT lane toll rates increase when traffic is heavy and decrease when traffic is light. Variable tolls ensure that traffic always moves smoothly in the HOT lanes at speeds of at least 45 mph 90 percent of the time. The average toll is between $1 and $1.25.
Q. How much revenue is generated from SR 167 HOT lanes tolls?
A. Revenue from HOT lanes is growing steadily. Revenue from HOT lanes has covered all operating costs since June 2011.
Q. How does WSDOT use toll revenue generated from the HOT lanes?
A. All toll revenue collected from the SR 167 HOT lanes is used to maintain and operate SR 167.
Q. Does SR 167 toll revenue cover the costs to maintain and operate the HOT lanes?
A. When the pilot project was established, revenues were not anticipated to cover these costs initially. The purpose of the project was to use available lane space and help WSDOT learn how to operate a HOT lanes system. Revenues are increasing as more solo drivers pay a toll to use the SR 167 HOT lanes. WSDOT is currently taking measures to lower the HOT lanes pilot project’s operating costs. The agency awarded a contract to build a statewide customer service center to support all current and future Washington State tolling facilities, including the HOT lanes. This action will centralize all customer service activities and lower operating costs.
top
Rules for using the SR 167 HOT lanes
General signs
Signs are posted along the entire 10-mile HOT lanes corridor between Renton and Auburn indicating that the far left lane is a HOT lane and is open only to carpools of two people or more, vanpools, transit, motorcycles and solo drivers who pay the electronic toll.
Approaching access zone signs
Signs are posted about one-half mile before every HOT lane access zone telling drivers that they are approaching an access point. There are six access zones in the northbound lanes and four access zones in the southbound lanes.
Blank HOT lanes signs
When drivers see a blank electronic sign at HOT lane access point, the lane is HOV only and closed to solo drivers.
Access zone entrance signs
An electronic sign is posted at the beginning of each access zone indicating the current toll price. The system calculates a new toll rate every five minutes. Signs are posted to allow solo drivers sufficient time to decide if they want to pay the toll and enter the HOT lane.
The entrance sign will show a toll amount based on the level of traffic in the HOT lane. If traffic in the HOT lane becomes too congested, the sign will switch to "HOV ONLY," indicating that the lane is closed to all solo drivers, including those with transponders.
During overnight hours when HOT lanes are not operating (7 p.m. to 5 a.m.), the sign will read “OPEN TO ALL.” No pass is necessary to use the lanes at this time.
When there's an emergency that blocks the HOT lanes, the sign will switch to "CLOSED," indicating that the lane is closed to all traffic. All vehicles in the HOT lanes must exit at the next access zone.
No crossing double white line signs
This sign reminds drivers that it is illegal to cross the solid double white line that separates the HOT lanes from the two general purpose lanes. Access in and out of the HOT lanes is restricted to access zones, which are marked by signs and a single dashed line. Breaking this law may result in fines of $124 or more.
top
Future of SR 167 HOT lanes
Q. Are there plans to extend the SR 167 HOT lanes?
A. It will take legislative authorization to continue operation of the SR 167 HOT lanes after the pilot project ends in June 2013. If WSDOT receives authority to continue using HOT lanes on SR 167, the southbound HOT lane will be extended south to 8th Street East. If authority is not granted, an HOV lane will be built instead. This project is scheduled to be advertised for construction in 2014 and completed in December 2016.
Q. What are the plans to expand HOT lanes beyond on SR 167?
A. In 2009, the Washington State Legislature directed WSDOT to prepare a traffic and revenue study for the Eastside Corridor, which includes parts of Snohomish, King and Pierce counties, stretching approximately 50 miles down I-405 and SE 167 from Lynnwood to Puyallup. WSDOT reviewed five options that incrementally build a continuous express toll lane system for the 50+ mile Eastside corridor. If implemented, WSDOT could provide up to two express toll lanes on I-405 that connect to the lanes already established on SR 167. The study’s executive advisory group recommended moving forward with construction of a 40+ mile express toll lane system from the King/Pierce County line to Lynnwood along I-405. To move forward with this strategy, WSDOT needs legislative authorization and federal approval.
Q. How would the one-lane SR 167 HOT lanes operate with a two-lane I-405 express toll lane system?
A. The operation of a two-lane I-405 system connecting to the existing SR 167 HOT lanes would depend on multiple unknown factors. While WSDOT is studying the feasibility of a HOT lanes or express toll lane system for the entire I-405/SR 167 corridor, it is too early to determine specifics of how this system would operate.
top
SR 167 HOT Lanes Enforcement
Q. How are the HOT lanes enforced?
A. The Washington State Patrol provides enforcement for the SR 167 HOT lanes pilot project. The fine for illegally driving in a HOT lane or crossing the solid double-white lines is $124. Drivers may report HOT lanes violators online or by calling 1-877-764-HERO.
top
HOT lanes across the U.S.
Q. Has this been tried anywhere else? Was it successful?
A. HOT lanes systems are growing in popularity across the nation. Miami, Denver, Minneapolis, San Diego, Orange County, Salt Lake City and Houston all currently employ toll lanes to help ease congestion and collect revenue for future projects. Orange County’s SR 91, for example, started as a 10 mile HOT lane system that voters approved to extend an addition 10 more miles into Riverside County.
top