Toll lanes coming to 10 and 110 freeways in Los Angeles County

[Bigmikelakers]

Kind of silly to charge for something thats already been paid for by the taxpayers. Just another money grab I guess. I can see if they widened the freeway and added the toll lanes. This won't decrease traffic.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0707-toll-lanes-20110707,0,4636835.story

[Chris]

Adapting existing HOV lanes to HOT lanes doesn't really increase capacity, you can just buy your way through the congestion like on the 91 express lanes. In Texas they seem to add some general purpose lanes as well when they're adding toll lanes.

[jrouse]

Kind of silly to charge for something thats already been paid for by the taxpayers. Just another money grab I guess. I can see if they widened the freeway and added the toll lanes. This won't decrease traffic.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0707-toll-lanes-20110707,0,4636835.story

There are 2 HOV lanes on I-110 in each direction.  These lanes have excess capacity which can be sold, which is the premise behind implementing HOT lanes on that corridor.  On I-10, they are going to add an extra HOT lane to the existing HOV lane between I-710 and I-605.  This will provide excess capacity, which can be sold.

[andy3175]

An analysis of the success of the (relatively) new toll express lanes in Los Angeles:

http://www.lamag.com/driver/traffic-is-mucking-up-the-success-of-freeway-expresslanes/

Metro's grand experiment in speeding up commutes for some–and making a little coin while they're at it–hit a speed bump, recently. New reports indicate the 10 and 110's ExpressLanes, which allow solo drivers to occupy carpool lanes for a price, are growing busier during morning rush hour, making them less desirable for commuters and endangering federal funds that require the lanes to operate at an average of 45 mph or faster.

The pricing of the ExpressLanes adjust to the traffic on the freeway. If it's busier, signs indicate solo drivers will pay the maximum toll on the lanes' full stretches, which can be up to $15. Many solo drivers with the ExpressLane transponders are hopping out of the lanes when they see that sign, causing more traffic with their merging and swerving.

Still, there are enough solo drivers using the ExpressLanes lately to cause speeds to severely drop. Metro is hoping to solve the problem by raising prices during the heaviest traffic–by 10 cents a mile–while also reducing off-peak tolls by 15 cents per mile. The hope is to encourage solo drivers with the transponders to use the general purpose lanes more often and save the ExpressLanes for more carpoolers and buses, especially at rush hours.

[myosh_tino]

An analysis of the success of the (relatively) new toll express lanes in Los Angeles:

http://www.lamag.com/driver/traffic-is-mucking-up-the-success-of-freeway-expresslanes/

Metro's grand experiment in speeding up commutes for some–and making a little coin while they're at it–hit a speed bump, recently. New reports indicate the 10 and 110's ExpressLanes, which allow solo drivers to occupy carpool lanes for a price, are growing busier during morning rush hour, making them less desirable for commuters and endangering federal funds that require the lanes to operate at an average of 45 mph or faster.

The pricing of the ExpressLanes adjust to the traffic on the freeway. If it's busier, signs indicate solo drivers will pay the maximum toll on the lanes' full stretches, which can be up to $15. Many solo drivers with the ExpressLane transponders are hopping out of the lanes when they see that sign, causing more traffic with their merging and swerving.

Still, there are enough solo drivers using the ExpressLanes lately to cause speeds to severely drop. Metro is hoping to solve the problem by raising prices during the heaviest traffic–by 10 cents a mile–while also reducing off-peak tolls by 15 cents per mile. The hope is to encourage solo drivers with the transponders to use the general purpose lanes more often and save the ExpressLanes for more carpoolers and buses, especially at rush hours.

Perhaps I'm missing something...

Up here in northern California, if speeds fall below 45 MPH, signs that would normally show what the toll is for solo drivers would simply read "HOV 2+ ONLY".  Is that not being done on the 10 and 110 Express Lanes?

[707]

Jeez, with all these toll roads, toll bridges and toll lanes coming into the equation these days, I'm surprised there isn't a California Turnpike already.

[ARMOURERERIC]

I have read elsewhere that laws allow solo driver, all electric vehicles to ride for free and with LA being an area where Prius and Tesla are popular, that it is the flood of these cars that are jamming up the works.

[jeffandnicole]

Prius is a hybrid, not an all-electric vehicle.

[Occidental Tourist]

For purposes of California's clean-air pass program for solo use of HOV/HOT lanes, the plug-in Prius qualifies as an electric vehicle.  Other plug-in hybrids such as the Ford Fusion Energi also qualify.

[jrouse]

An analysis of the success of the (relatively) new toll express lanes in Los Angeles:

http://www.lamag.com/driver/traffic-is-mucking-up-the-success-of-freeway-expresslanes/

Metro's grand experiment in speeding up commutes for some–and making a little coin while they're at it–hit a speed bump, recently. New reports indicate the 10 and 110's ExpressLanes, which allow solo drivers to occupy carpool lanes for a price, are growing busier during morning rush hour, making them less desirable for commuters and endangering federal funds that require the lanes to operate at an average of 45 mph or faster.

The pricing of the ExpressLanes adjust to the traffic on the freeway. If it's busier, signs indicate solo drivers will pay the maximum toll on the lanes' full stretches, which can be up to $15. Many solo drivers with the ExpressLane transponders are hopping out of the lanes when they see that sign, causing more traffic with their merging and swerving.

Still, there are enough solo drivers using the ExpressLanes lately to cause speeds to severely drop. Metro is hoping to solve the problem by raising prices during the heaviest traffic–by 10 cents a mile–while also reducing off-peak tolls by 15 cents per mile. The hope is to encourage solo drivers with the transponders to use the general purpose lanes more often and save the ExpressLanes for more carpoolers and buses, especially at rush hours.

Perhaps I'm missing something...

Up here in northern California, if speeds fall below 45 MPH, signs that would normally show what the toll is for solo drivers would simply read "HOV 2+ ONLY".  Is that not being done on the 10 and 110 Express Lanes?

Yes, it is my understanding that they do go into HOV ONLY mode and if you access the lane as an SOV during those times you will pay the maximum toll of $1.40 per mile.  I've heard it happens on I-110; have not heard whether it occurs on I-10.

[jrouse]

Perhaps I'm missing something...

Up here in northern California, if speeds fall below 45 MPH, signs that would normally show what the toll is for solo drivers would simply read "HOV 2+ ONLY".  Is that not being done on the 10 and 110 Express Lanes?

They do go into an HOV ONLY mode, at least on I-110.  If you go into the lane during that time, you will pay the maximum toll of $1.40 per mile.

[jrouse]

An analysis of the success of the (relatively) new toll express lanes in Los Angeles:

http://www.lamag.com/driver/traffic-is-mucking-up-the-success-of-freeway-expresslanes/

Metro's grand experiment in speeding up commutes for some–and making a little coin while they're at it–hit a speed bump, recently. New reports indicate the 10 and 110's ExpressLanes, which allow solo drivers to occupy carpool lanes for a price, are growing busier during morning rush hour, making them less desirable for commuters and endangering federal funds that require the lanes to operate at an average of 45 mph or faster.

The pricing of the ExpressLanes adjust to the traffic on the freeway. If it's busier, signs indicate solo drivers will pay the maximum toll on the lanes' full stretches, which can be up to $15. Many solo drivers with the ExpressLane transponders are hopping out of the lanes when they see that sign, causing more traffic with their merging and swerving.

Still, there are enough solo drivers using the ExpressLanes lately to cause speeds to severely drop. Metro is hoping to solve the problem by raising prices during the heaviest traffic–by 10 cents a mile–while also reducing off-peak tolls by 15 cents per mile. The hope is to encourage solo drivers with the transponders to use the general purpose lanes more often and save the ExpressLanes for more carpoolers and buses, especially at rush hours.

Perhaps I'm missing something...

Up here in northern California, if speeds fall below 45 MPH, signs that would normally show what the toll is for solo drivers would simply read "HOV 2+ ONLY".  Is that not being done on the 10 and 110 Express Lanes?

The lanes do operate in an "HOV only" mode.  I've heard it occurs with regularity on I-110; not sure about I-10.  If you enter the lanes when it operates in the HOV only mode, you will pay the maximum toll of $1.40 per mile.

[andy3175]

The lanes do operate in an "HOV only" mode.  I've heard it occurs with regularity on I-110; not sure about I-10.  If you enter the lanes when it operates in the HOV only mode, you will pay the maximum toll of $1.40 per mile.

What is "HOV only" mode? Is that an instance where solo drivers, even with a transponder, are prohibited from using the HOT lanes?

[jeffe]

What is "HOV only" mode? Is that an instance where solo drivers, even with a transponder, are prohibited from using the HOT lanes?

Yes, when the signs say "HOV only" then the lane is operating like a normal HOV lane and not a HOT lane.  Only vehicles with 2 or more people or vehicles with clean air HOV stickers may use the lane.

The opposite is "Open to All" which means any vehicle can use the lane and not pay a toll.

[myosh_tino]

Perhaps I'm missing something...

Up here in northern California, if speeds fall below 45 MPH, signs that would normally show what the toll is for solo drivers would simply read "HOV 2+ ONLY".  Is that not being done on the 10 and 110 Express Lanes?

They do go into an HOV ONLY mode, at least on I-110.  If you go into the lane during that time, you will pay the maximum toll of $1.40 per mile.

Is that the case up here in northern California?  It was my understanding that once the express lanes enter "HOV ONLY" mode, solo drivers were prohibited from using the express lane which I interpreted to mean solo drivers having to exit the express lane.

[jeffe]

It was my understanding that once the express lanes enter "HOV ONLY" mode, solo drivers were prohibited from using the express lane which I interpreted to mean solo drivers having to exit the express lane.

Yes, you are right.  Any solo driver (without HOV stickers) would be considered to be an HOV violation when using the lane in "HOV ONLY" mode. 

[jrouse]

It was my understanding that once the express lanes enter "HOV ONLY" mode, solo drivers were prohibited from using the express lane which I interpreted to mean solo drivers having to exit the express lane.

Yes, you are right.  Any solo driver (without HOV stickers) would be considered to be an HOV violation when using the lane in "HOV ONLY" mode. 

If you're an SOV and you're in the lane already when it goes into "HOV ONLY" mode, you may continue your trip.  If you're not in the lane, you can't enter the lane. 

[The Ghostbuster]

There should eventually be a toll lane network throughout the entire Los Angeles Freeway System (as well as around many other places in the country).

[jrouse]

There should eventually be a toll lane network throughout the entire Los Angeles Freeway System (as well as around many other places in the country).

The Southern California Association of Governments, which is the metropolitan planning organization for most of Southern California except San Diego, is working on a plan for just such a network.  It will be a part of their new regional transportation plan which is scheduled to come out sometime this month. 

In addition, the county transportation planning agencies in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties, and Caltrans District 12 (which covers Orange County) have developed or are in the process of developing toll lane network plans for their individual jurisdictions.

Both plans include conversion of existing HOV lanes and new facilities.  However, the SCAG plan will call for single lane facilities while the county level plans call for dual lanes on the corridors.

[mrsman]

There should eventually be a toll lane network throughout the entire Los Angeles Freeway System (as well as around many other places in the country).

The Southern California Association of Governments, which is the metropolitan planning organization for most of Southern California except San Diego, is working on a plan for just such a network.  It will be a part of their new regional transportation plan which is scheduled to come out sometime this month. 

In addition, the county transportation planning agencies in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties, and Caltrans District 12 (which covers Orange County) have developed or are in the process of developing toll lane network plans for their individual jurisdictions.

Both plans include conversion of existing HOV lanes and new facilities.  However, the SCAG plan will call for single lane facilities while the county level plans call for dual lanes on the corridors.

Dual lanes will generally require new construction, so that the tolls are actually funding for a real improvement to the roadway.  Single lanes are largely already built and will just need to be privatized.