How can we relieve congestion in the I-95 corridor?

1. I-95 Congestion Relief Study How can we relieve congestion in the I-95 corridor?

2. CT Congestion Relief Study http://www.ct-congestion-relief.com DOT conducting studies of CT’s 2 most congested corridors: • I-95 corridor from NY to New Haven • I-84 in Hartford Metropolitan Area Both studies: • Funded with special federal grants • Value Pricing Pilot Program • Will explore a variety of travel options to help provide congestion relief • Will evaluate electronic tolling & pricing • As ‘one’ component of a broader strategy to reduce congestion

3. CT Congestion Relief Forums Purpose: to learn what congestion relief & congestion pricing methods have worked in other states Invited out-of-state panelists • have experience with successful practices in other areas Opportunity: learn from others • Hear about methods used & lessons learned • Ask: what might work in Connecticut?

4. CT Congestion Relief Forums: Format Three-hour forums tailored to each study area • I-95 forum (NY- New Haven corridor) • I-84 forum (Hartford area) Agenda Overview: problem & study Panel 1: out-of-state professionals & community leaders Panel 2: local panelists • bring local perspectives to the discussion Open session: questions from the audience

5. Overview of I-95 Congestion Relief Study

6. I-95 Corridor: New York/New Haven 1 7 7 Waterbury Meriden 9 Connecticut 91 New York Danbury New Haven 25 84 84 95 95 also monitor impacts on Route 1 & I-84 15 Hudson 15 8 691 684 Bridgeport New Canaan River N Long Island Sound I-95 Merritt Pkwy. Stamford Metro North New Jersey I-84 287

7. Congestion is a Serious Problem in Our Most Important Economic Corridor I-95 is CT’s most congested corridor • 20-mile traffic jams common occurrence • 3-4 hours in duration Problem continues to get worse • increased by 19% between 2001 & 2011. Costly for residents & businesses • 41 million hours: total time of all people delayed in traffic in 2011 • $860 million: cost to residents & businesses Annual Urban Mobility Report, Texas Transportation Institute, 2011 data

8. Travel speed data illustrates extent & duration of the problem Southbound A.M. Bridgeport – Stamford Area Morning congestion is severe & focused in Bridgeport – Stamford section 6:00 7:00 8:00 startsat 6:30 in Bridgeport 9:00 West Haven New Haven Westport Stratford Norwalk Fairfield Bridgeport Darien Milford Orange Stamford Greenwich expandstowards Stamford 10:00 20 miles long at peak 11:00

9. Travel speed data illustrates extent & duration of the problem Morning congestion can last over 4 hours 6:00 7:00 Southbound A.M. Bridgeport – Stamford area 8:00 9:00 Duration = 4+ hours 6:30 – 10:30 am West Haven New Haven Westport Stratford Norwalk Fairfield Bridgeport Darien Milford Orange Stamford Greenwich 10:00 11:00

10. Travel speed data illustrates extent & duration of the problem Afternoon congestion is just as severe Northbound P.M. periodBridgeport – Stamford area 3:00 Duration = 4+ hours 3:00 – 7:00 pm 4:00 5:00 20+ miles long at peak 6:00 West Haven New Haven Westport Stratford Norwalk Fairfield Bridgeport Darien Milford Orange Stamford Greenwich 7:00 8:00

11. Will explore a variety of • Congestion Relief Methods electronic tolling & congestion pricing transportation improvements • highway improvements • rail & bus improvements expectation: need combination • No single method is sufficient • Combination of methods will be required to achieve congestion relief

12. New Haven Rail Yard What this is not: It is not a change in DOT’s commitment to transit • Transit is central to DOT’s strategy for corridor • Transit is essential for economic growth • Transit options & impacts will be part of study • DOT’s investments reflect its commitment $3.2 Billion in last decade $1 Billion in next 5 years • Catenary Replacement • Station Improvements • Fleet Replacement • Bridge Replacement

13. I-95 Value Pricing Study Overview Public involvement & information (special importance) Engage residents, businesses, local officials, legislators in study Meetings, focus groups, forums, surveys, website Collect data Traffic counts, travel time data, travel patterns, Surveys: including stated preference survey Develop special technical analysis tools Travel demand models, traffic simulation models, transit model Identify alternatives Toll/pricing options, highway improvements, transit improvements Test & evaluate alternatives Level of congestion relief Shifts to transit (& what is needed to accommodate new riders) Diversions alternate routes Cost to build, maintain, operate Revenue potential

14. What is Electronic Tolling?vastly different from the old manned toll booths used in the past • Toll booths created • traffic problems • Congestion • Accidents • Air quality problems Tolling in CT circa 1980

15. New Electronic Methodsdo not create traffic problems Electronic sensors mounted overhead on special gantries • EZ Pass readers • Cameras for video tolling • for drivers without EZ Pass • no booths • no stopping • no need to slow down • no traffic delays • no safety problems

16. Congestion Pricing is a congestion relief method that works by managing demand during peak traffic periods Congestion pricing uses higher toll rates during peak periods to encourage drivers to: • shift to less congested times • shift to less congested routes • shift to transit • shift to other lanes • key factor for express toll lanes Congestion pricing can provide sustainable relief by managing peak use even as travel demand grows demand 16

17. Express Toll Lanes: one form of congestion pricing general purpose lanes Most popular tolling method for new projects Gives drivers a choice • pay a toll & bypass congestion • most drivers value having a choice • across all income levels Congestion relief • proven & effective tool for congestion management No tolls - free express toll lanes Toll required general purpose lanes No toll - free

18. Existing and Planned Managed Lanes

19. Miami: successful & effective express lane project(Debora Rivera & Mayor Gilbert) 19

20. Key points about Miami’s project • large reduction in congestion • additional lane built largely within existing footprint of I-95 BEFORE AFTER Shoulder Shoulder Shoulder Shoulder HOV Lane General Purpose Lanes Express Lanes General Purpose Lanes 12’ 12’ Lanes 13’ 11’ Lanes 11’ Lanes 85’ 85’ 10’ 8’ 1’

21. Transit plays a vital role in corridor& must be part of the solution What can be done to enhance its role? Rail service • How will I-95 tolls affect rail ridership? • How to address parking problems? • How to serve growing # of ‘intrastate’ trips? Bus service • What bus service improvements are needed? New opportunities: express toll lanes ….

22. Express Toll Lanes: present new opportunities Successful in other cities • Buses avoid congestion on highway • Fast & reliable service • Attract more riders • Flexible routing off the highway • Serve wider market • Serve more commuter lots

23. Concluding remarks • Multimodal study assessing a variety of congestion relief options: highway, transit, & pricing • Pricing can provide sustainable relief • It will assess whether pricing can help manage congestion in I-95 corridor • Will be completed in early 2015 23