Toll Lanes Make For Slower Commute On 110 Freeway

[cpzilliacus]

KNX 1070 radio: Toll Lanes Make For Slower Commute On 110 Freeway

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) – Express toll lanes aimed at reducing traffic congestion could be slowing down drivers on the Harbor (110) Freeway, officials said Wednesday.

KNX 1070′s Margaret Carrero reports Metro officials are suggesting drivers who have avoided paying to use the toll lanes may be to blame for the slowdown.

[andy3175]

A similar article was also posted on the LA Times webpage:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-toll-lane-analysis-20130410,0,5727021.story

Traffic on the 110 toll lanes flowed at least 45 mph during peak hours, and 10 mph faster in the morning northbound rush than before the project, according to data covering the period from December to February. But non-toll lanes in the most congested segment – near Gage Avenue – slowed by more than 8 mph, to 29.6 mph, during the morning peak period.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials say that's because solo drivers are no longer illegally using the carpool lane, and other drivers are still deciding whether to buy a transponder. Some delays could be caused by drivers braking to read toll signs, they said.

About 7% of drivers who entered the toll lane during the study period did so incorrectly. After a brief grace period, the California Highway Patrol issued 412 verbal warnings and 307 tickets.

Traffic in the carpool lane initially decreased by about 10,000 trips a day or about 20%. Separate data from the California Department of Transportation, which is partnering with Metro on the project, showed that traffic volume declined by half in some segments of the toll lanes. But those numbers are gradually recovering, according to Metro's data.

In all, Los Angeles County has 453 miles of carpool lanes, and 53 more miles are under construction, according to Caltrans. If the current experiment succeeds, every carpool lane in the county could add tolls within 20 years, predicted Robert Poole, a Reason Foundation policy director and toll lane advocate.

"The truth of the matter is, there aren't that many options left" to increase freeway capacity, Poole said.

A second phase of testing has begun on the 10 Freeway, where a 14-mile toll lane from downtown to the 605 Freeway near El Monte opened in February. Officials also have held a public hearing on proposed toll lanes for the 5 Freeway near Santa Clarita.

The 110 and 10 toll lanes are L.A. County's first attempt at "congestion pricing," or charging solo drivers varying prices to use carpool lanes. The fees increase as regular traffic lanes become clogged. Toll lanes can shave two to three minutes a mile off rush-hour trips, officials say, and are seen as a way to maximize the efficiency of a largely built-out freeway network.

Regards,
Andy

[cpzilliacus]

TOLLROADSnews: LA Express Lanes ramping up, speeds good in the Lanes but some drop in GP lane speeds alongside, $1m/month

[hm insulators]

I thought the idea was to speed up the commute?

[sdmichael]

I'm just annoyed with the "express" lanes as I can't take my motorcycle on them anymore. I at least got the chance to take the El Monte Busway in its entirety a few weeks before. I never did get to ride the 110.

[fungus]

The final numbers are in, and the HOT lanes do make the regular lanes slightly faster, with a 3-6 minute travel time savings in the peak. http://media.metro.net/board/Items/2014/04_april/20140410othersectorgatitem5.pdf

[mrsman]

I'm just annoyed with the "express" lanes as I can't take my motorcycle on them anymore. I at least got the chance to take the El Monte Busway in its entirety a few weeks before. I never did get to ride the 110.

I agree.  It seems terrible that a transponder would be necessary for non-toll transactions, so even if you manage to get a carpool or ride a motorcycle, you're still required to sign up with the system and be subject to possible monthly fees.

I can't understand why this isn't like I-15 in San Diego where carpools can ride free without a transponder.  And certainly motorcylces, it's patently obvious that they are a motorcycle and should not require a transponder either.

In the general thread, there is a discussion that Florida is getting rid of all of their toll booths and going to an all electronic system.  But you can still use the system even without a transponder if you pay a moderate fee of something like $2.50.  This should happen in EZ-Pass territory and California as well.

P.S. I just read the TollRoad News link from upthread and it appears that they recently waived the transponder requirement for motorcycles.  This is a small step in the right direction.

[sdmichael]

Now that I have a transponder for the 91 Express Lanes (still free), I understand a lot more. So... Motorcycles on the 110/10 HOV lanes are NOT required to sign up unless they have a personalized plate (both my bikes have them). No transponder is required either way. The express lanes on the 15 in San Diego do not require ANY sign up or transponder unless you plan to DRIVE solo within the lanes. So, to deal with that difference, I obtained a bag to put my transponder from the 125 toll road people so it won't set off when I'm riding my motorcycle on a roadway that it is not needed. I only obtained the transponder itself so that I could ride the lanes on the 91.

[jeffandnicole]

For comparison's sake, the 2 lane NJ Turnpike often moves much faster than the 3 lane I-295 because of the tolls.  So the 'suggestion' is definitely reality, in my book.

The unfortunate thing is that some days, when Exit 3 and NJ 168 traffic is heavy, there can be a 15 - 30 minute delay getting off of the NJ Turnpike, so anyone using that interchange can wind up losing time.  Since this interchange is the prime exit for many commuters travelling at rush hour, it suffers the most congestion (Yes, we know: build an interchange with Rt. 42).