Denver Post Article on Colorado HOT Lanes

An interesting article that shows in my opinion that HOT lane enforcement will result in harassment of HOV carpools. How? Wait until the HOV drivers start getting erroneous tickes in the mail because they had their license plate videoed. Read article.

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_4077527

By Jeffrey Leib
Denver Post Staff Writer
DenverPost.com

HOT lanes on Interstate 25 brought in $42,000 during their first month, a little more than expected, but Colorado tolling officials say gaps in enforcement mean the state may be losing some toll revenue.

The Colorado Tolling Enterprise plans to meet with State Patrol officials about stepping up police enforcement of the I-25 toll/HOV lanes, especially during the afternoon rush hour, said Peggy Catlin, the group's acting director.

The toll authority opened the HOT lanes June 2, replacing a two-lane reversible high- occupancy-vehicle operation with one that allows solo drivers to buy their way into the express lanes by paying a toll, while preserving free access for buses and carpoolers.

HOT stands for high-occupancy toll. The barrier-separated lanes run for about 7 miles on I-25 north of Coors Field, with a short dogleg up the Boulder Turnpike to Pecos Street.

The toll authority recorded a high of nearly 1,300 toll transactions on several weekdays late last month.

Tolling is done electronically by equipment near 58th Avenue that reads vehicle transponders. There are no toll booths.

Motorists must be in the east of the two lanes to have tolls read, Catlin said. Conversely, HOV vehicles must be in the west lane at the toll-reading location.

Signs direct travelers to get into the proper lane before the toll-recording spot. State Patrol officers park on a widened shoulder to verify compliance with HOV rules. They issued 59 HOV citations last month, Catlin said.

In addition, 43 motorists were stopped and cited for toll evasion, she said. Solo drivers can get such a citation if they slip into the HOV lane before they get to the toll readers.

"There's a distinct correlation between officer presence and violations," Catlin said.

Vehicles that pass through the toll-reading lane without a transponder have photos taken of their license plates and are cited for the violation through the mail.

Knowing that the system would cause confusion early on, toll authority officials gave warnings to violators and even allowed first-time offenders to "cure" their transgression by paying the missed toll and a $7 "administrative fee," Catlin said.

She added that the toll operation is not slowing service for buses and carpoolers.

In June, about 3,000 buses and carpoolers used the lanes on weekday mornings, and between 4,000 and 5,000 HOV vehicles used them during the afternoon peak.

Buses using the HOV lanes were on time 99.9 percent of the time, Catlin said.

She added: "We're meeting all our commitments" to the Regional Transportation District."

Staff writer Jeffrey Leib can be reached at 303-820-1645 or jleib@denverpost.com.

OK, I got some additional info on Denver's HOT lanes. Motorcycles are free. Hybrids have to have 2 or more.

Also, ALL vehicles including HOVs have to have a transponder. At the enforcement area, the HOVS are separated from the toll payers, but I guess everyone's transponder is read.

Also, I note that this is really small potatoes compared to what is planned for 95. $8 million total cost vs hundreds of millions. Also HOV2 and was very under-utilized pre HOT. Very few if any on and off ramps, which I think are going to cause us big time grief as the Lexus and BMW types scramble to get in and out.


link for video (do the low resolution one)

http://www.dot.state.co.us/CTE/expresslanes/

http://www.dot.state.co.us/cte/expresslanes/about.cfm

Will I be charged if I have a transponder but I also carpool or have others in my vehicle?
If you are carpooling or have others in your vehicle, even if you have a transponder, you must pass through the toll collection enforcement area in the designated HOV lane in order not to get charged. If you are alone and have a transponder, you will need to pass through in the designated Express Lane. If you pass through the Express Lane with more than one person in your vehicle rather than staying in the designated HOV lane, your transponder will be read and you'll be charged regardless of vehicle occupancy. If you don't have a transponder and pass through the Express Lane, you'll be issued a violation even if you have more than one occupant in your vehicle.

Raymond. Agreed it will be disaster both for the volume impact and Lexuses getting on and off. But, the way I understand the Denver setup, the HOV people only have to be in a particuar lane directly under the transponder reader. After that the Lexii and HOVs can both change lanes.

But can you imagine 395 HOT: 3 narrow lanes. A BMW in the left lane decides the toll is too high and decides to get off. Oh boy.

Moving topic up