Published Tuesday, 17 June, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
PREMIER TRAVELS ‘HOT’ ROAD IN SAN DIEGO
SAN DIEGO: Premier of Queensland Anna Bligh today took a trip along a San Diego freeway to examine an innovative congestion-busting initiative.
“Like many US cities, the Government of California has invested significantly in High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes in recent years,” Ms Bligh said
“The I-15 FasTrak has been in operation since 1997 and consists of 8 miles of 2-lane barrier-separated, reversible High Occupancy Toll lanes running in the median of the I-15 freeway.
“The system allows buses, van pools, and car pools to travel in the FasTrak lanes for free, while other drivers have the option of paying a toll to access the lanes.
“It utilises a ‘dynamic toll’, which automatically varies in response to traffic conditions in the lanes.
“When the freeway is moving, the toll is low, and when it is busy, the toll rises accordingly.
“HOT toll revenues are supporting express bus services in the corridor, in addition to all operational costs of the HOT lanes, including police enforcement.
“The San Diego government has found that the system is proving successful and there has been significant improvement in traffic flows as a result.
“I don’t know if the options being utilised on the I-15 could provide a solution to some of our road congestion problems in Queensland, but it is certainly a reminder that innovation tailored to the needs of commuters and travellers can contribute to addressing traffic issues.”
Due to the success of this initial program, San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), in conjunction with California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is expanding and extending the concept for a total of 20 miles along I-15 in northern San Diego County.
Scheduled for completion in 2012, the new I-15 lanes will feature four lanes with a moveable barrier for maximum flexibility, multiple access points to the general purpose highway lanes, and direct access ramps for high-frequency Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service.
17 June, 2008
Media contact: (07) 3224 4500
“Like many US cities, the Government of California has invested significantly in High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes in recent years,” Ms Bligh said
“The I-15 FasTrak has been in operation since 1997 and consists of 8 miles of 2-lane barrier-separated, reversible High Occupancy Toll lanes running in the median of the I-15 freeway.
“The system allows buses, van pools, and car pools to travel in the FasTrak lanes for free, while other drivers have the option of paying a toll to access the lanes.
“It utilises a ‘dynamic toll’, which automatically varies in response to traffic conditions in the lanes.
“When the freeway is moving, the toll is low, and when it is busy, the toll rises accordingly.
“HOT toll revenues are supporting express bus services in the corridor, in addition to all operational costs of the HOT lanes, including police enforcement.
“The San Diego government has found that the system is proving successful and there has been significant improvement in traffic flows as a result.
“I don’t know if the options being utilised on the I-15 could provide a solution to some of our road congestion problems in Queensland, but it is certainly a reminder that innovation tailored to the needs of commuters and travellers can contribute to addressing traffic issues.”
Due to the success of this initial program, San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), in conjunction with California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is expanding and extending the concept for a total of 20 miles along I-15 in northern San Diego County.
Scheduled for completion in 2012, the new I-15 lanes will feature four lanes with a moveable barrier for maximum flexibility, multiple access points to the general purpose highway lanes, and direct access ramps for high-frequency Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service.
17 June, 2008
Media contact: (07) 3224 4500