Florida Department of Transportation District 4 (project owner); and Eland Engineering (maintenance contractor).
Implement a dynamic lane tolling system based on occupancy, in addition to basic daily traffic detection.
Express lanes or high occupancy toll lanes are dedicated lanes of traffic that drivers may access for a fee. Typically, the toll for using the lane changes to fit traffic conditions. The challenge for transportation agencies is to balance congestion management with toll amounts that are based on lane occupancies at any given moment. FDOT District 4 needed a reliable and accurate vehicle detector capable of reporting real-time lane occupancy data that could be used to dynamically adjust lane tolls as needed. The same detection device also needed to perform basic daily vehicle detection of per vehicle speeds, 85th percentile speeds, volumes, classifications, etc.
FDOT District 4 chose to use SmartSensor HD for vehicle detection. HD provides the accurate lane-by-lane occupancy data needed for dynamic tolling; it also reliably detects daily traffic counts, volumes and speeds. The Express Lane system relies on HD’s data to ensure the appropriate toll amounts are charged for real-time conditions. HD has been extensively tested in Florida and is the detection technology of choice for this kind of application.
Because of SmartSensor HD’s accuracy and reliability, FDOT District 4 has a high degree of trust in the data that HD provides and is confident that correct tolls are being charged for the use of the Express Lane.
The I-95 Express Lane system has been in operation for more than two years. The system allows FDOT to keep congested traffic moving throughout District 4, and it is vital for the changing tolls to match congestion levels. Because of HD’s accuracy and reliability, FDOT District 4 has a high degree of trust in the data that HD provides and is confident that correct tolls are being charged for the use of the Express Lane.
