Caltrans Recommends its Plan to Improve Mobility and Relieve Congestion On I-405

[jrouse]

http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist12/PressReleases/I-405_News_Release_Final_072414.pdf

http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist12/PressReleases/I-405%20information.pdf

[andy3175]

Very interesting, thank you for sharing. Looks like construction around the I-605 and SR 22 area will continue:

Alternative 3 adds one new general purpose (non-tolled) lane in each direction of I-405 from I-
605 in the north to SR-73 in the south. In addition, Caltrans proposes to add a High Occupancy
Toll (HOT) lane in each direction that would combine with the existing carpool lane to create two
HOT or Express Lanes in each direction. The new general purpose lane would be funded using
Measure M funds as promised. The design and construction of the Express Lanes would be
phased in, as further enhancement of the project, when funding is identified by Caltrans in the
future, but not using Measure M funds. Caltrans will work with OCTA as it proceeds with a
Design-Build contract for the new general purpose lanes.

Do we know whether OCTA will require a transponder for any vehicle (including HOV's that in theory would access the lanes without being charged a toll) to use the proposed express lanes, or will they be open for HOV's without a transponder? The transponder approach limits access to the express lane to those who, well, have a transponder. Not everyone does, and it makes legitimate carpools unable to use those lanes. I have wondered if the LA Metro has gotten any negative feedback from those who are otherwise eligible to use the 110 and 10 express lanes since there aren't many nearby toll facilities other than the OCTA toll roads?

[jrouse]

There are still a lot of decisions to be made regarding the operation of the express lanes - including who will operate them. It could be OCTA or Caltrans.  As for the transponder requirements, again, that remains to be seen, but if I were to venture a guess, I would say that transponders would be required for all users.  This would allow for consistency with other corridors.  The transponder requirement does have an impact on the casual carpooler - this has been seen on the two Los Angeles County facilities - but it is the preferred method of operation these days as it is a key enforcement tool. 

I would also note that the CA toll operators are working on a plan to brand the switchable FasTrak tag used on the Los Angeles facilities (and eventually in the Bay Area) as FasTrak Flex.  This will help with some of the issues we've seen in Los Angeles where there was confusion about the need for carpools to have the switchable tag in order to have toll-free passage.  Current signs on the facilities don't make this distinction and will be updated this fall once the new branding is finalized.

[andy3175]

There are still a lot of decisions to be made regarding the operation of the express lanes - including who will operate them. It could be OCTA or Caltrans.  As for the transponder requirements, again, that remains to be seen, but if I were to venture a guess, I would say that transponders would be required for all users.  This would allow for consistency with other corridors.  The transponder requirement does have an impact on the casual carpooler - this has been seen on the two Los Angeles County facilities - but it is the preferred method of operation these days as it is a key enforcement tool. 

I would also note that the CA toll operators are working on a plan to brand the switchable FasTrak tag used on the Los Angeles facilities (and eventually in the Bay Area) as FasTrak Flex.  This will help with some of the issues we've seen in Los Angeles where there was confusion about the need for carpools to have the switchable tag in order to have toll-free passage.  Current signs on the facilities don't make this distinction and will be updated this fall once the new branding is finalized.

I am fine with the transponder approach except for one thing: It costs money to own a Fastrak account. Assuming one drives around with enough people in the car to constitute a HOV/carpool all the time, the use of those HOV lanes would still never be without a surcharge. If there were a way to eliminate fees and make the use of the transponder free of surcharges for those with legitimate carpools, then I would be more supportive of this approach.

[mrsman]

There are still a lot of decisions to be made regarding the operation of the express lanes - including who will operate them. It could be OCTA or Caltrans.  As for the transponder requirements, again, that remains to be seen, but if I were to venture a guess, I would say that transponders would be required for all users.  This would allow for consistency with other corridors.  The transponder requirement does have an impact on the casual carpooler - this has been seen on the two Los Angeles County facilities - but it is the preferred method of operation these days as it is a key enforcement tool. 

I would also note that the CA toll operators are working on a plan to brand the switchable FasTrak tag used on the Los Angeles facilities (and eventually in the Bay Area) as FasTrak Flex.  This will help with some of the issues we've seen in Los Angeles where there was confusion about the need for carpools to have the switchable tag in order to have toll-free passage.  Current signs on the facilities don't make this distinction and will be updated this fall once the new branding is finalized.

I am fine with the transponder approach except for one thing: It costs money to own a Fastrak account. Assuming one drives around with enough people in the car to constitute a HOV/carpool all the time, the use of those HOV lanes would still never be without a surcharge. If there were a way to eliminate fees and make the use of the transponder free of surcharges for those with legitimate carpools, then I would be more supportive of this approach.

Could someone explain what the current fee structure for Fastrak is with regard to the maintenance fees?  From what I know, and please correct me if I'm wrong since I don't live in CA any more, there are no monthly fees if you sign up for a Fastrak in the Bay Area, but there is a monthly charge in So Cal.  You can only get a Flex transponder in So Cal. 

It seems that there is now a $1/month fee for all in So Cal, but I think there used to be a waiver of the fee for those who commuted regularly along the corridor, right?  And I remember reading that even if you took the bus along the 110 (or 10) freeway corridor, that would count toward your travel allowance, even if you didn't pay tolls.  So now, they charge everybody, even though they used to give a repreive for regular commuters, even if they never payed the toll (transit, carpool).

I am much more familiar with E-Z Pass.  Here, there are many different options to choose from and to some extent you don't have to live in the area where your pass is issued from.  Virginia is the only EZ-Pass state to offer a flex tag (For the I-495 toll/carpool lanes) and I believe they waive the fee for regular commuters on their toll facilities (including carpoolers along I-495).  MD charges a monthly fee.  Some agencies give discounts to their customers on their facilities.  I shopped around and I have a NY MTA tag with no monthly fee.

[jrouse]

All of the toll agencies in California except for the Bay Area Toll Authority charge a maintenance fee for a FasTrak account.  Fees vary per agency and I believe in some, if not all, cases the fees are waived if you take a certain number of trips on the toll facility.

[cpzilliacus]

I am much more familiar with E-Z Pass.  Here, there are many different options to choose from and to some extent you don't have to live in the area where your pass is issued from.  Virginia is the only EZ-Pass state to offer a flex tag (For the I-495 toll/carpool lanes) and I believe they waive the fee for regular commuters on their toll facilities (including carpoolers along I-495).  MD charges a monthly fee.  Some agencies give discounts to their customers on their facilities.  I shopped around and I have a NY MTA tag with no monthly fee.

Virginia recently abolished (or will very soon) abolish ALL fees for E-ZPass.

The Maryland Transportation Authority offers E-ZPass Flex transponders for people (like me) that sometimes drive the Virginia HOV/Toll lanes with three people in the car.

[sdmichael]

All of the toll agencies in California except for the Bay Area Toll Authority charge a maintenance fee for a FasTrak account.  Fees vary per agency and I believe in some, if not all, cases the fees are waived if you take a certain number of trips on the toll facility.

91 Express Lanes don't charge a fee for some accounts, such as the one I have for my motorcycles and HOV 3+ commuters. The transponder is free as well as the road (on a motorcycle).