Trying To Free Up 95 Express, FDOT Prices ‘Lexus Lanes’ At Lamborghini Rates

| David Levinson
Express Lane Tolls Enforced. Credit Jeffery Katz / Florida Department of Transportation
Express Lane Tolls Enforced. Credit Jeffery Katz / Florida Department of Transportation

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

2 thoughts on “Trying To Free Up 95 Express, FDOT Prices ‘Lexus Lanes’ At Lamborghini Rates”

  1. Hah, $10.50 is not “Lamborghini rates”. The GW Bridge into Manhattan costs more.

    I like the article though. Good look at who is using it and why. I guess Floridians are cheap. $100/month is nothing. Up here a monthly pass on the commuter rail could easily run you $300/month and you get slower service.

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  2. Pingback: ‘Lexus lanes’ and the price of saving time | Marketplace | Transportationist

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