California Route 91 Toll Lanes Impacts and Other Observations

Abstract

The 16-km (10-mi) long California State Route 91 (SR-91) variable-toll lanes entered service December 27, 1995. This facility is the first practical application of congestion-based road pricing attempted in the United States. The California and U.S. Departments of Transportation sponsored a study to observe how travelers respond over time to variable-toll pricing and the other innovative features of this unique facility. Data covering a wide range of travel and transportation issues were obtained from mid-1994 through June 1997 and analyzed for lessons to inform public policies about future applications of congestion-based pricing. The principal findings are summarized. The SR-91 toll lanes are regarded as a success in terms of both commuter acceptance and favorable opinions. Although, as expected, first-year toll revenues did not cover total annualized costs, the facility operator anticipates profitability in the near future. Impacts on corridor traffic have been positive, and, despite changes in traffic composition, the overall level of ridesharing has not been adversely affected. Fears that peak congestion-based tolls might preclude benefits to low-income commuters have not materialized, although a relationship was found between frequency of toll lane use and income level. No adverse traffic operational impacts were observed. From experience with the SR-91 variable-toll lanes, further careful experimentation with congestion-based pricing in other settings appears warranted.