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I-394 MnPASS NCHRP Domestic Scanning Tour November 13, 2009. Julie Johnson, P.E. Mn/DOT. Orientation. 11 mile corridor 3 mile barrier separated reversible section 8 mile diamond lane section 5 EB and 6 WB access points in diamond section HOVs, transit and motorcycles free
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I-394 MnPASS NCHRP Domestic Scanning TourNovember 13, 2009 Julie Johnson, P.E. Mn/DOT
Orientation • 11 mile corridor • 3 mile barrier separated reversible section • 8 mile diamond lane section • 5 EB and 6 WB access points in diamond section • HOVs, transit and motorcycles free • Fully electronic & dynamically priced
Problem & Solution • I-394 opens in 1992 with HOV lanes funded by Federal Highway Administration • Problem • Congestion continues to grow • Funding for new construction is limited • I-394 perception: Is HOV lane half empty or half full? • 2002 Twin Cities HOV Study • HOV lanes operating at less than full potential • During peak, HOV lanes (3,053) are typically moving more people per lane than general-purpose lanes (2,076) • FHWA urged changes, but opening HOV lane to all traffic not permitted Solution: MnPASS Express Lanes
I-394 MnPASS Project Goals • Improve I-394 efficiency • Maintain free flow speeds for transit and carpoolers • Use revenues to improve highway and transit in corridor • Employ new technologies for pricing and enforcement
Set up a pre-paid MnPASS account Install transponder Antennae reads transponder in vehicle Toll Collection
Transponders • Needed a transponder that: • Could be turned off by people when carpooling • MnPASS could read/write to • Was long lasting (5 year battery life) • Tested gray – law enforcement couldn’t see – went to white • Decided to lease v. sell • Signup cost higher under the sales scenario - $40 plus cost of transponder ($24) • Inventory “cost” would have been higher (we’d have had to have more of them readily available/around)
Technology - Tolling Antenna • Approximate antenna weight = 10 lbs • Multiple antenna readers are used over each HOT lane. • Antenna readers are located at five locations along HOT lanes.
Dynamic Pricing Overview • Adjust the toll rate dynamically to encourage or discourage users • Maintain free flowing traffic in MnPASS lane (speeds greater than 45 MPH, >90% of the time) • Rates determined based on: • Number of vehicles in HOT lane • Speed of the vehicles • Rate of change of traffic conditions
Dynamic Pricing Overview • Rates are calculated each entry point • Based on the maximum traffic density downstream of each entry point in the HOT lane
Managing Traffic • Adjust the rate calculation interval such that rapidly changing traffic conditions can be measured • Raise the toll rate as traffic increases in order to control the LOS • Allow the toll rate change to reflect the rate of change in traffic density • Avoid large toll rate changes in a single rate calculation interval
Dynamic Pricing • Price based on HOT Lane Traffic Conditions • Data from Mn/DOT Loop Detectors • Price updated every 3 minutes - using 6 minute averaged data • Price set off of customizable rate tables • Existing price, level of service, and rate of change determine new price • Price based on worst traffic density point down- stream of entrance • Fee posted on overhead signs just before MnPASS lane access points
Dynamic Pricing Works Toll ranges $0.25 - $8.00 max • Overall average $1.17 (Year 4) • Peak average $1.00 - $4.00 • Off-peak average $0.25 per section • EB average $1.46 • WB average $0.79 • 90% of all trips in 2008-09 were < $2.75.
Enforcement • Increased enforcement thru partnerships with: • Minnesota State Patrol • Petty misdemeanor with $142 fine • Initial planning and equipment cost of $250K • 8 hrs of enforcement on weekdays (4 hours am peak, 4 hours pm peak) • Annual cost of $165K
Enforcement • Supplemental tools • Mobile enforcement reader • Antenna linked to PDA in enforcement vehicle • Acknowledges valid transponder in vehicle when passing by the antenna/reader • Provides transponder account information: when and where last read, tolls paid, etc
Enforcement Results • 50% of stops involved HOV or double white line crossing violations • I-394 violations dropped by 50% • HOV violations on I-394 are much lower than on I-35W
Safety: 12% Decrease in Crashes Average 2003-05 =560 * Compares data for year starting May 16 to May 15 of the next year
Speeds and Usage • Travel speeds in the general purpose lanes increased by 2% to 15% • Peak hour volumes increased 7 to 30%, while miles of congestion decreased • Average Speed is 62 MPH, and 95% of time speeds above 50 mph (required to be above 45 mph 90% of time as per FHWA) • Eastbound has 56% of trips and 70% of revenue • Heavy usage days: Tue, Wed, Thu • 70% of trips start or end in reversible road
I-394 MnPASS Toll Users • 13,200 active transponders • 10,400 active accounts • As of October 31, 2009 • 30% of transponders used on a typical day • Average user makes two tolled trips per week • Usage Higher Among • Full-time workers • Homeowners • Ages 35-55 • Incomes over $50,000 • Women
I-35W MnPASS Toll Users • As of October 31, 2009 (opened September 30, 2009): • 3,700 active transponders • 3,300 active accounts • $19,610 in tolled revenue • 24,754 tolled trips (including the PDSL)
Revenues Exceed Operating Costs • Estimated FY09 All Revenues + Fees: $1.5M • Estimated FY09 Operations costs: $1.1M • Costs and Revenue (I-394):
I-394 Key Milestones • May 05: MnPASS lanes open • June 05: Change to peak period operations in non-barrier section • Nov 05: New auxiliary lane opens • Jan 06: Pricing algorithm adjustment • May 06: 1-year anniversary • Sept 06: 10,000 transponders leased • Feb 07: surpassed $10,000 in tolls for one day and had highest weekly revenue (over $110,000) • May 2007 2-year anniversary • June 2007: surpassed 11,000 transponders leased • May, 2008 3-year anniversary • September, 2008: surpassed 12,000 transponders leased • May, 2009 4-year anniversary • September 30, 2009 Expanded to I-35W • October, 2009: surpassed 13,000 transponders and 10,000 active accounts
I-394 MnPASS Meeting Its Goals • Reduces congestion and increases safety • Non-barrier separated access is safe and reduces infrastructure requirements • Dynamic pricing and technology works • Free flow speeds maintained • Lower violation rates • Revenues + Fees exceed operating costs in Years 2, 3, and 4. • Studying I-394 MnPASS Phase 2 • Expansion of MnPASS system to I-35W 2009
Questions and More Information Visit www.mnpass.org Julie Johnson, P.E. 651-234-7024 Julie.johnson@state.mn.us