Enhancing Portland's Freeway Performance through Value Pricing: Strategies and Implementation

1. 2019 TRB Planning Applications ConferenceMat DolataSenior Transportation EngineerWSP USAMike MasonSenior PlannerODOT Region 1 June 2019

2. Project Background

3. Portland region freeway system performance Percent change from 2015 to 2017 20% 13% 3% Hours of Congestion Daily vehicle hours of delay Population Source: ODOT 2018 Traffic Performance Report

4. Oregon HB 2017 on value pricing • Directs OTC to develop Value Pricing proposal on I-5 and I-205 • Seek approval from FHWA no later than December 31, 2018 • If approved, “the commission shall implement value pricing to reduce traffic congestion.”

5. Value pricing objectives • Manage congestion: use congestion pricing to manage [traffic] demand and encourage more efficient use of the transportation system • Finance bottleneck relief projects: as a means to finance the construction of roadway improvements that address identified bottleneck projects

6. Pricing Concepts

7. Value pricing strategies Freeway Pricing Priced Lanes Priced Roadways Toll Collection • Open Road Tolling • Transponders or License Plate Recognition • No Toll Booths or Cash

8. Initial concepts (Round 1) No Tolls: RTP Baseline

9. Refined concepts (Round 2)

10. Technical Approach

11. Modeling tools • Oregon Statewide Integrated Model (SWIM) • Metro Regional Travel Demand Model • ECONorthwest Toll Optimization Model (TOM) • Metro Multi-criteria Evaluation Tool (MCE) • Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator (MOVES) Use existing tools to meet aggressive project schedule Collaboration with ODOT, Metro, and consultant team

12. SWIM • Identifies potential impacts at statewide level • Changes in travel patterns on I-5/I-205 • Diversion to other highways

13. Metro TDM • Primary regional demand modeling tool • Use 2027 RTP Scenario – Network & Land Use • Traffic assignment results feed TOM & MCE • Tolling applied as equivalent time penalty based on VOT assumptions • Regional impacts & potential diversion

14. TOM • Designed for analyzing managed lane concepts • Analyzes freeway segments only. (I-5 and I-205) • Higher resolution of freeway performance (volume per lane, 5 minute increment) • Establishes tolling rates by segment (applies distribution for value of time) • Balanced objective to improve performance while minimizing diversion

15. MCE • Benefit-cost analysis (BCA) tool designed to compare economic, environment, and social/equity outcomes across alternatives • Monetizes impacts from travel demand model results • Identifies impacts for equity groups (historically marginalized communities) • Potential safety impacts on overall system

16. Conceptual modeling workflow Other Data OUTPUTS TOM TOM • Travel Time • Speed • Toll Rates Portal Archive Volume & Speed Demand Final Metro TDM (Kate) • Mode Share • VMT/VHD • Regional Diversion Preliminary Metro TDM (Kate) • Emissions • Community impacts on travel time MOVES Final Toll/ VOT MCE SWIM • Statewide Diversion

17. Results

18. Round 2 Concepts

19. Priced Lanes on Northern I-5 Key Findings • Revenue and capital costs relatively low • Maintains two unpriced lanes in each direction, but high toll amount per user • Minimal congestion reduction • Limited diversion • Small mode shift to HOV

20. Priced Lanes on I-205 Priced Lanes on Southern I-205 Key Findings • Revenue and capital costs relatively low • Maintains two unpriced lanes in each direction, but tolls new lane • High toll amount per user • Minimal congestion reduction • Limited diversion • Few transit and multimodal travel options

21. Priced Roadway on Central I-5 Key Findings • Strong congestion reduction and time savings • Modest diversion • Dense network of transit and multi-modal facilities • Significant revenue generation • Lower per trip toll than single lane concepts • Small mode shifts to HOV and active modes

22. Priced Roadway on I-5 & I-205 Key Findings • Greatest potential for regional congestion reduction • Higher probability of diversion • Highly varied access to transit and multi-modal options • Highest revenue potential • Lower per trip toll than single lane concepts • Best mode shifts to HOV and active modes

23. Priced Roadway on Abernathy Bridge – Tested for Revenue Potential Key Findings • Can be implemented using variable toll rates • Congestion reduction and travel time savings for drivers • Some traffic diversion to I-5 and arterials • Mitigation strategies needed • Potential funding for half or more of I-205 widening/bridge project

24. Consultant recommendation Phased implementation with comprehensive planning Initial implementation Implement in conjunction with complementary mobility and equity strategies.

25. Next Steps

26. Congestion pricing on I-5 and I-205 We are here

27. Proposed locations • Interstate 205 on or near the Abernethy Bridge • Interstate 5 in the vicinity of N Going/ Alberta St to SW Multnomah Blvd

28. Community mobility and equity priorities Improve public transit & other transportation choices Provisions for low- income and environmental justice communities Strategies to minimize impacts of diversion

29. Thank you! More information about the project available at the Value Pricing Feasibility Analysis website: www.odotvaluepricing.org