I was interviewed by Kenny Malone of the Miami Herald / Miami Public Radio on HOT Lanes in Trying To Free Up 95 Express, FDOT Prices ‘Lexus Lanes’ At Lamborghini Rates

FDOT numbers show that the express lanes, of late, have failed to provide a reliably free-flowing trip during peak traffic hours, most notably the 4-7 p.m. northbound trip.

Part of the problem appears to be a phenomenon documented on Minnesota’s MnPASS system, after which 95 Express is modeled. Engineers found that, up to a point, drivers are actually drawn to higher tolls.

“And that’s surprising,” said David Levinson a professor of civil engineering at University of Minnesota and a study author. “Our hypothesis as to why that’s the case is that users of the system are using the posted price… as information about what the time savings is on the MnPASS lanes.”

FDOT is seeing evidence of the same thing, drivers assuming a higher toll means more time savings.

The article is part of the series: WLRN’s the end of the road