Application of FAIR Lanes to Help Alleviate Freeway Congestion

This paper will describe how intelligent transportation systems (ITS) have changed the way traffic issues such as congestion and road pricing are viewed. ITS have provided new opportunities in traffic management that would not be possible otherwise, especially in highway toll collection. The implementation of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) has made the process of toll collection more efficient and equitable than ever before. The implementation of electronic tolling, High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, and Fast and Intertwined Regular (FAIR) lanes have benefits to the driver over traditional tolling methods. ITS and ETC are integral to the implementation of these advanced tolling methods. With resources for maintenance and expansion of roadways more limited than ever, innovative road pricing schemes must be relied upon to manage increasing congestion both in rural and urban areas. The advent of ITS applications makes these innovative pricing options feasible. The paper shows how there has been great innovation that has occurred with the implementation of electronic tolling nationwide and the implementation of HOT lanes in several states. Ideas such as FAIR lanes may not be practical today, however, the equity impacts that are incorporated in the FAIR lanes concept as well as the expansion of the HOT lanes concept deserve consideration. As more vehicles obtain toll tags, the feasibility of FAIR lanes increase. This paper will advance the current state of the practice in the implementation of the FAIR lanes concept to alleviate congestion on freeways.