Effects of an HOV-2 to HOT-3 conversion on traveler behavior : evidence from a panel study of the I-85 corridor in Atlanta.

Petrella, Margaret; Puckett, Sean; Peirce, Sean; Minnice, Paul; Lappin, Jane · 2014 · ROSA P / John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)

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Summary

This study evaluates the impact of converting a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV-2) lane into a High Occupancy Toll (HOT-3) lane on the I-85 corridor in Atlanta, part of the federally funded Congestion Reduction Demonstration (CRD) Program. The research addresses how dynamic pricing and increased occupancy requirements influence traveler behavior, including route choice, mode selection, vehicle occupancy, and attitudes toward tolling. The study was conducted by the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center for the Federal Highway Administration to assess the effectiveness of this congestion reduction strategy. The researchers employed a two-stage household panel survey design, collecting data before (Wave 1, April 2011) and after (Wave 2, April 2012) the implementation of variable tolling. The sample consisted of approximately 1,655 households (3,126 individuals) recruited through license plate capture, transit intercepts, and vanpool solicitations. Respondents completed demographic questionnaires and travel diaries to record trip details, including mode, timing, and lane usage. This longitudinal approach allowed for direct comparison of individual travel patterns across the two periods, controlling for seasonal variations. Key findings indicate a 15% overall decline in corridor trips, with a sharper 18% drop in I-85 trips compared to non-corridor trips. While general purpose lane usage declined, Express Lane usage nearly doubled, rising from 7% to 15% of all I-85 driving trips. The composition of Express Lane users shifted dramatically: 82% of trips were solo drivers paying tolls, compared to higher occupancy levels in the former HOV lane. Consequently, vehicle occupancy in the Express Lanes dropped from 2.22 to 1.18, while occupancy in general purpose lanes increased as carpoolers shifted away from the toll lanes. Trip departure times adjusted, with fewer Express Lane trips during midday non-peak hours and more during peak congestion periods. However, the study found no significant improvement in travel times for general purpose lanes, and only small, statistically insignificant increases in transit use. Telecommuting and carpooling saw slight increases, but these were largely attributed to external factors like employment changes rather than tolling. The significance of these findings lies in the behavioral shifts and public perception changes. While the HOT-3 conversion successfully attracted solo drivers to the express lanes, it did not reduce congestion in general purpose lanes or significantly alter mode choice. Satisfaction with travel time and reliability improved for Express Lane users but decreased significantly for former HOV-2 users who shifted to general purpose lanes. Crucially, personal attitudes toward tolling became significantly more negative post-implementation, with many respondents citing cost and fairness concerns. The study concludes that while pricing can manage lane usage, it may not achieve broader congestion reduction goals without complementary strategies, and it can generate public resistance if perceived as unfair or ineffective for general traffic.

Key finding

The conversion to dynamic tolling caused a 15% decline in total corridor trips, a near doubling of Express Lane usage by solo drivers, and a dramatic decrease in vehicle occupancy within the toll lanes.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 1655

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• traffic density

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence