HOT lanes

High Occupancy Toll lanes are a free-market solution to traffic congestion. Unlike a conventional toll road where all of the users pay an established toll rate, HOT lanes are designated lanes on an existing road where variable tolls are posted. If a user is willing to pay the toll, he may use the lane. Otherwise, the user has the choice of using the untolled lanes which are more congested. As more cars opt to use the HOT lane, a computer automatically raises the toll to discourage overuse, thereby keeping traffic in the lane flowing at the designed speed.

HOT lanes differ from HOV lanes, which are available only to car pools having a designated minimum number of passengers. Car pools are allowed to use the HOT lanes without paying a toll, provided that the car is carrying a special transponder. Unlike HOV lanes which are typically financed from gasoline tax revenues, HOT lane construction is financed from the toll revenues.

Examples

• I-495 Express - four lanes on the Washington DC Beltway that opened in November 2012 built by Flour and Transurban.
• I-15, between California State Route 163 and California State Route 78 in San Diego County. SOV toll ($0.50-$8.00); HOV-2+ free.
• I-680, southbound between California State Route 84 and California State Route 237 in Alameda and Santa Clara counties. SOV toll ($0.30-$6.00); HOV-2+, motorcycles, buses and eligible hybrids ride free.
• California State Route 237 between I-880 in Milpitas and North First Street in San Jose. SOV toll ($0.30-$6.00);
• I-85 in the Atlanta Area. Opened October 1, 2011. These lanes run between Old Peachtree Road and Chamblee-Tucker Road, including direct access to/from State Route 316, in Gwinnett and DeKalb counties. A Peach Pass is required for all vehicles including those exempt from tolling. The occupancy requirement for toll-free use is 3 or more people.