I-95 HOT Lanes aka "Toll road" (Burke, Springfield: sales, pricing)

[Zack]

Originally Posted by gomason

A third of 95 Express Lanes drivers are carpooling - The Washington Post


Interesting information. I'm actually kind of surprised that only 1/3 of the traffic in the express lanes are HOV. Probably because of all the non-rush hour people on weekends, etc paying.

I'm not. Previously there were a large number of single driver hybrids using the lanes who now have to pay tolls or actually carpool. Add in the fact that there's one new lane that is go to be entirely new non-carpoolers, then 1/3rd makes sense.

[gomason]

Originally Posted by Zack

I'm not. Previously there were a large number of single driver hybrids using the lanes who now have to pay tolls or actually carpool. Add in the fact that there's one new lane that is go to be entirely new non-carpoolers, then 1/3rd makes sense.

I forgot about the hybrid drivers, but I imagine they were a pretty small proportion. It's been almost 9 years since new hyrbid drivers could use the 95/395 HOV lanes.

On the bright side, it's much better than the carpooling rate on the 495 express lanes of 7%.

[johnsonkk]

Originally Posted by gomason

A third of 95 Express Lanes drivers are carpooling - The Washington Post


Interesting information. I'm actually kind of surprised that only 1/3 of the traffic in the express lanes are HOV. Probably because of all the non-rush hour people on weekends, etc paying.

If you have 3 or more in a vehicle, it's free, even on weekends. I'm sure the numbers for hov cars is lower on weekends but all cars on weekends are lower. Often the lanes are a ghost town. I've seen it at one car per half mile, dismal if VDOT is looking to make a profit. For weekends, VDOT is counting on volume or a wreck to push the inclination of drivers into HOT lanes.

Today we saw a record or at least close to it. The rates were $7.50 from Woodbridge to 610 this afternoon. Not seen it that high.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by johnsonkk

If you have 3 or more in a vehicle, it's free, even on weekends. I'm sure the numbers for hov cars is lower on weekends but all cars on weekends are lower. Often the lanes are a ghost town. I've seen it at one car per half mile, dismal if VDOT is looking to make a profit. For weekends, VDOT is counting on volume or a wreck to push the inclination of drivers into HOT lanes.

Today we saw a record or at least close to it. The rates were $7.50 from Woodbridge to 610 this afternoon. Not seen it that high.

I don't think VDOT is getting that money. It's the private firm TransUrban who gets it. I am sure that VDOT and the state now just get some sort of stipend to patrol and maintain the road.

[johnsonkk]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

I don't think VDOT is getting that money. It's the private firm TransUrban who gets it. I am sure that VDOT and the state now just get some sort of stipend to patrol and maintain the road.

Agreed but ultimately, if the contractor doesn't make a profit, VDot has to make up the difference. The contracts for the 495 HOT lanes and 95 have a clause that basically promises a minimum if the minimum threshold isn't met. I hope that threshold is publicly available but on this basis is why I mentioned that VDot is praying for a profit.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by johnsonkk

Agreed but ultimately, if the contractor doesn't make a profit, VDot has to make up the difference. The contracts for the 495 HOT lanes and 95 have a clause that basically promises a minimum if the minimum threshold isn't met. I hope that threshold is publicly available but on this basis is why I mentioned that VDot is praying for a profit.

They'll probably get it. I have been "impressed" with the high use of these lanes in comparison to the 495 lanes. I have no idea if the usage is meeting expectations but they certainly seem busy enough. The last few weeks (early morning), the HOT lanes population has been robust and the majority appear to be single riders.

[Zack]

Originally Posted by gomason

I forgot about the hybrid drivers, but I imagine they were a pretty small proportion. It's been almost 9 years since new hyrbid drivers could use the 95/395 HOV lanes.

On the bright side, it's much better than the carpooling rate on the 495 express lanes of 7%.

I used to drive against traffic on both 395 and 66, and can anecdotally say that Hybrids probably made up at least 1/4th to 1/3rd of the traffic in the HOV lanes. Instead of paying tolls, the Hybrid owners basically did(do) the same by buying a more expensive vehicle that gets a little better gas mileage.

[johnsonkk]

Well as expected, reviewing the charges on my EZ pass and even though I carpool and set my EZ pass to HOV, today I was charged $2.90 for traveling on the HOT lanes. Even better, the time was 15 min AFTER I was in my driveway. I specifically looked at the truck clock when I pulled into the driveway. Already sent off an email thru the website. Only description was listed as "entrance 1", whatever that means. Could be a bad sensor, bad reader, bad software, who knows. Recommend a routine check on your accounts but how often do you remember when you depart the HOT lanes? This process is bound to have more errors.

On another note, seeing way more single drivers north of Edsall road (without the hybrid plates). Cannot remember the last time saw a state police near the Pentagon checking for single drivers.

[gomason]

Originally Posted by johnsonkk

Well as expected, reviewing the charges on my EZ pass and even though I carpool and set my EZ pass to HOV, today I was charged $2.90 for traveling on the HOT lanes. Even better, the time was 15 min AFTER I was in my driveway. I specifically looked at the truck clock when I pulled into the driveway. Already sent off an email thru the website. Only description was listed as "entrance 1", whatever that means. Could be a bad sensor, bad reader, bad software, who knows. Recommend a routine check on your accounts but how often do you remember when you depart the HOT lanes? This process is bound to have more errors.

On another note, seeing way more single drivers north of Edsall road (without the hybrid plates). Cannot remember the last time saw a state police near the Pentagon checking for single drivers.

Have you used the HOT setting at all recently? EZ pass doesn't always hit your account instantly, it can take days.

[johnsonkk]

Originally Posted by gomason

Have you used the HOT setting at all recently? EZ pass doesn't always hit your account instantly, it can take days.

Good question. I always leave my EZ pass on HOV and flip it maybe once a month. Basically I always pick up and travel on HOT lanes. Yesterday I again traveled in HOV status and happened to check the account last night. The charge for yesterday wa already on the account. The online account reflects each day you use the EZ pass so it seemed odd that my account was updated the same day but that I was charged to travel (EZ pass was and is set to HOV) AND that the time listed for my charge was 15 min after I arrived at home. Maybe someone hacked my EZ pass. Something is not right.