FEASIBILITY OF PRIORITY LANE PRICING ON THE KATY HOV LANE: FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT

This paper examines the circumstances under which congestion pricing of a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane might be appropriate, as well as the operational, legal, and public acceptance issues that bear on feasibility. Use of the I-10 (Katy Freeway) HOV lane is restricted to vehicles with three or more occupants (HOV3+) during the peak hours daily because the original HOV2+ eligibility produced demands approaching capacity and thus significant loss in operating speeds. However, the HOV3+ restriction results in significant excess capacity. In order to move more people during the peaks, Houston METRO and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) are considering allowing HOV2s to buy-in. The feasibility analysis shows that there is adequate capacity for up to 600 HOV2s during each peak period. Legal feasibility rested on three issues: 1) authority to toll, 2) authority to enforce, and 3) ability to receive revenues. Critical steps for achieving public acceptance include: 1) understanding historic public feedback nationally, 2) understanding local opinions (both users and general public), 3) developing a public education/information campaign, and 4) developing support among local officials. The approach to establish a pricing policy in Houston involved the following: 1) develop the pricing objectives, 2) determine relevant local mobility prices and related tolling practices, and 3) establish an initial strategy and set an adjustment policy. The feasibility research has been completed and implementation plan prepared. The transit authority board and the state transportation commission have voted to proceed with a one-year trial beginning in 1997.