Analysis of the IH 35 Corridor Through the Austin Metropolitan Area

1. Analysis of the IH 35 Corridor Through the Austin Metropolitan Area TRB Planning Applications Conference Jeff Shelton Karen Lorenzini Alex Valdez Tom Williams May 8, 2013

2. Acknowledgements • University of Arizona • RST International • TxDOT • CAMPO • CTRMA • Capital Metro • City of Austin • Downtown Austin Alliance

3. Introduction • Austin among the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. • Average travel times from downtown to Round Rock (45 – 60 mins) during afternoon peak

4. Introduction • Funding only available for incremental improvements • Need to start planning for the “Big Picture”

5. Introduction What is the long-term solution for IH 35 through the Austin Metropolitan Area?

6. Introduction • Pre-conceptual, unbounded by financial constraints • Framework for preliminary screening of options • Advanced research tool for advanced research challenge • Use different resolution levels to meet challenge (TDM  DTA)

7. Public Notions about IH 35 • Through (bypass) traffic causing congestion • Truck traffic major problem • We can build our way out of congestion

8. Technical Approach – Demand Side • Analysis year 2035 for all scenarios • Travel demand model starting point: CAMPO regional travel demand model • Multiple vehicle class trip tables • SOV, HOV2/HOV3+, Truck • All other 2035 adopted plan roads and transit network included

9. Technical Approach – Demand Side • Scenario 0 (Base model) • Concurrent with CAMPO adopted plan • No additional vehicle capacity along IH 35 between SH 45 North and SH 45 South

10. Technical Approach – Supply Side • Dynamic traffic assignment (DynusT) • Assignment is modeled in 1-minute intervals • Traffic signals coded on all major arterials • Innovative congestive-responsive tolling algorithm

11. Congestive Responsive Tolling

12. Congestive Responsive Tolling

13. Congestive Responsive Tolling Maximize throughput while maintaining target speed

14. Challenges • Network size • Run time • Signal timings • Multiple vehicle classes • Dynamic tolling algorithm • Outputs

15. Concept Scenarios

16. Base Model • Concurrent with the current CAMPO adopted plan • No additional vehicle capacity along IH 35 between SH 45 North and SH 45 South • All other 2035 CAMPO Adopted Plan Roads and Transit Network included HOV lane Static toll Dynamic toll

17. Scenario 1 • One express lane added each direction to IH 35, non-tolled • SOV and trucks restricted • Dynamic tolling MoPac and SH 183 • Toll for HOV3+ HOV lane Static toll Dynamic toll

18. Scenario 2 • Dynamic pricing IH 35 • Min toll ($0.25) • Max toll ($200.00) • HOV 3+ free • Independent tolling scheme on other facilities HOV lane Static toll Dynamic toll

19. Scenario 3 • System-wide dynamic pricing • IH 35 • HOV 3+ free • All other facilities, HOV pays HOV lane Static toll Dynamic toll

20. Scenario 4 • Dynamic pricing IH 35 • Add one additional express lane each direction • Remove one general purpose lane each direction • Remove tolls SH 130/45 and redesignate as interstate HOV lane Static toll Dynamic toll

21. Scenario 5 • No added capacity • Toll existing IH 35 main lanes • Peak period dynamic pricing • 6-9 AM • 4-7 PM • Remove tolls SH 130/45 and redesignate as interstate HOV lane Static toll Dynamic toll

22. Scenario 6 • Three additional express lanes in each direction • Elevated or depressed • Access only at endpoints • Dynamically tolled • HOV3+ free • SOV min toll ($9.94) • Truck min toll ($31.58) HOV lane Static toll Dynamic toll

23. What did we find out?

24. Base Scenario

25. Scenario 1

26. Scenario 2

27. Scenario 3

28. Scenario 4

29. Scenario 5

30. Scenario 6

31. Results 31

32. Shortest Path? Base Scenario Scenario 5 Majority of truck traffic already using SH 130 to bypass central downtown core

33. What did we learn? • Recurring congestion caused by daily commuters – NOT through traffic • Removing truck traffic from IH 35 fills with latent demand • Added pavement (highest $) did not show promising results • Biggest problem is growth trends and “business as usual” travel behavior

34. People Make More Trips Outside of Peak Period

35. What would it take? Added Capacity High Efficient Land Use Travel Behavior Changes • Trip reduction per household • Travelers shorten travel distances somewhat • Peaks spread into non-peak periods • HOV3 , Transit, and non-motorized travel increases 125% • From CAMPO 2035 plan • Two express lanes in each direction • One of these lanes is on-going express lane implementation project • Length from SH 45N to SH 45 SE • Intermediate access points • SOV/HOV pay an auto toll rate, transit free • Dynamically tolled

36. People Make More Trips Outside of Peak Period

37. What would it take? IH 35 Ext to Ext (Northbound) IH 35 Ext to Ext (Southbound) 10 mph SH 45 20 mph SH 45 US 183 30 mph Riverside US 183 40 mph SH 45 Riverside 50 mph SH 45 60 mph 2:00 2:00 10:00 10:00 4:00 4:00 6:00 6:00 8:00 8:00 10:00 10:00 2:00 2:00 4:00 4:00 8:00 8:00 12:00 12:00 6:00 6:00

38. Moving Forward • Educating decision-makers/public about myths • Pursuing demand side strategies • Employers • Individuals • Public policy (including land use) • Defining specific long-term capacity improvements • Expand modal options/accessibility • Leverage new technologies • Continue to refine model tools

39. Thank You