United States Department of Transportation
i
Comprehensive Analysis on the Conversion of the Existing HOV Lanes into Hot Lanes in Tennessee
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2022-12-01
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[PDF-3.43 MB]
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Edition:09/01/2020 to 12/31/2022
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Abstract:This study analyzed the conversion of HOV Lanes to HOT Lanes in Tennessee. The research applied several approaches including microsimulations of HOV/HOT Lanes that employed data from Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) travel demand model and field collected traffic counts. Microsimulation was conducted through VISUM and VISSIM software by importing TransCAD based GNRC traffic travel demand. Apart from the comprehensive literature review on HOT Lane effectiveness from other states, the study reviewed best practices from other cities and states on conversion of HOV Lanes to HOT Lanes, enforcement, violation and penalty structures, and policy initiatives. A total of four scenarios were evaluated including:(1) the base scenario with HOV Lanes without effective enforcement as it is currently operated (2) HOV Lanes converted to HOT Lanes with no intermediate access (3) HOT Lanes with one intermediate access point and (4) HOT Lanes with multiple access points along the current HOV Lane corridors. The study found that converting HOV Lanes to HOT Lanes without intermediate access performs better (meaning reduced travel time) when compared to HOT Lanes with additional intermediate entrance/exit points. With HOT Lanes, travel time for all traffic along major interstate highways in Tennessee will be reduced by an average of 23% from the current travel times. Travel time for the traffic that will be using the HOT Lanes along major interstate highways in Tennessee will be much reduced compared to other GP lanes from the current travel times. Key findings from the case studies of other regions and Cities with currently operating HOT Lanes view them as effective means to manage congestion. Given the proper commitment by TDOT, HOT Lanes have the potential to be a better and more efficient usage of resources to relieve congestion on highways than the construction of more general-purpose lanes. Study recommends TDOT convert the current HOV Lanes to HOT Lanes without intermediate access (entrance/exit). The entrance/exit points should be only at the beginning and end of the HOT Lanes. Study recommends a toll fee of 10 cents per mile and tolls should be collected electronically (static or dynamic tolls). Study recommends that separation of the HOT Lanes and GP lanes should be through pavement marking (not physical barriers). Only single occupant vehicles (SOV) will be required to pay tolls, and all HOVs (2+) using the HOT Lane will be exempted from toll payment. Dynamic Message Signs should be initially located 1 mile prior to the starting of the HOT Lane to provide travel alerts and incident information. Video cameras installed along HOT corridors must be used for violators’ identification and incident detection.
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