A Hotter Solution to Freeway Congestion in the Washington Metro Area
Channel: APA National Capital Area Chapter
Date: 17/11/2021

A proposal to address freeway congestion by creating a network of High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes in the Maryland portion of the Washington metro area has been controversial. Expanding highways, such as by adding new HOT lanes, will simply encourage further auto-centric development. Suburbanization of low-income households and jobs will make non-auto commutes more difficult. And the reduced delays will induce new auto trips by those who were previously deterred by congestion, an unintended consequence that cancels out apparent advantages. This presentation will provide a better solution, HOTTER lanes – lanes with High-Occupancy vehicles, Transit, and Tolls on Existing Rights-of-way – that could be created by converting existing lanes to congestion-priced toll lanes. Toll revenues could then be used to provide cash incentives for transit and carpool use and dramatically expand equitable mobility options, returning toll revenue to carpool and transit commuters’ pockets, restraining urban sprawl, and providing new, affordable travel choices for those who don’t drive, and the choice of a fast, reliable trip for those who do. And a financially viable network of HOTTER lanes will be available to facilitate safe deployment of automated vehicles throughout the freeway system.

Note: This recording is from the 2021 Annual Conference of the National Capital Area Chapter of the American Planning Association.