CoTripQuarterly/Feature

Summer 2006 - Vol. 6, No. 3

Behind the Scenes with HOT Lanes
by Brian Jordon

Region 6's Steve Sperry
recently gave ITS's PIOs a tour of the new HOT lanes project and details on funtionality and infrastructure.

About ten days before the grand opening of the I-25/US 36 toll lanes, all of us from the Colorado Traffic Management Center who will be answering questions about, and monitoring cameras in the HOT (High Occupancy Toll) lane system, got a look at what we will be dealing with. The man who has been operating the HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes for years, CDOT’s Steve Sperry, took us on a tour.

Sperry’s first warning before our drive between the high flying north and southbound lanes of I-25 was, “Theoretically its “closed,” but that don’t mean jack.” Indeed during the closed HOV lane tour we did encounter some traffic, workers putting the finishing touches on what are sometimes referred to by the dubious nickname, “Lexus Lanes.” Sperry showed us some of the spots where trouble tends to happen and where it might become more complicated once the tolling begins.

PIOs Lisa Lane, Michael Murray, Fritz Homann, Paul Peterson, Gene Towne and yours truly were joined by operators Jarrett Handy and Joe Tucker and of course Creative Director, Michael Tamburello. Since the CTMC is a 24/7 operation, supervisor Rod Mead stayed back to man the ranch.

“We anticipate plenty of questions from the general public and expect plenty of calls on the operations side...Getting a look at them directly helped us get a clear impression of the big picture.”

We anticipate plenty of questions from the general public and expect plenty of calls on the operations side including queries concerning gates and their locations. Getting a look at them directly helped us get a clear impression of the big picture. We’ll also be keeping an eye on the HOV lane tour cameras that will give us a constantly changing view of the approximate 7 miles running between downtown Denver and 84th Avenue as well as US 36 and Pecos in Westminster. Also along for the tour were electronic technicians William Wall and Marvin “Bones” Byfield.

It seemed very beneficial to get some first hand views and knowledge of the area. We also expect to get plenty of calls concerning details like, “Where do I get a transponder?” You can call the E-470 Authority (303-537-3400) or go to www.expresslanes.com. The transponder will be used to bill lone drivers on the HOT lanes. It will work the same as it does on a more familiar toll road, E-470, on the east side of the Denver metropolitan area.

CQ's Brian Jordon interviews E-470 technician Jeff Bowen who is updating equipment that will accomodate the transponders for the modified HOV lanes
along I-25.

Steve Sperry shows the ITS PIOs some of the equipment used by personnel in Region 6 that is enclosed in a temperature-controlled trailer refered to as "Node 2". Equipment at this facility is similar to that at the Colorado Traffic Management Center in Golden.

Sperry told us that one spot expected to be tricky involves the eastbound side of US 36 from Sheridan to Pecos. The left lane there is an HOV lane and HOV lane only. HOT drivers (one person per car) will not be allowed in that left lane. In fact anyone driving alone in that lane will be subject to a ticket and fine transponder or no.

Another tricky spot already is on 70th Avenue, just east of Broadway. At that location the gate blocking east bounders from entering the HOV lanes when they’re closed southbound is often hit by drunk drivers, according to Sperry. With the gate down drivers might decide the ramp to the southbound HOV lanes is open and use it before unwittingly encountering head-on traffic coming the other way. Sperry says a traffic cone and a planned system of pop-ups in front of the gate are expected to minimize this unfortunate phenomenon.

“Sperry says the immediate hopes for volume are conservative. He says they expect the number of cars in the HOT lanes to rise gradually. There will also be quite a learning curve on some quirks in the operation.”

Sperry points out to ITS personnel the layout and traffic patterns of HOV lanes near Coors Field and the Union Station.

Currently the HOV lanes handle about 1,000 cars per hour during peak rush hours and Sperry says the immediate hopes for volume are conservative. He says they expect the number of cars in the HOT lanes to rise gradually. There will also be quite a learning curve on some quirks in the operation. For instance, HOV drivers (free carpoolers with two or more in the car) must use the west lane at the transponder whether northbound or southbound. HOT laners must use the east lane. This is the only area where a particular lane is required. Lane changes and cruising in either lane is permitted in all other areas of the tolled road. The toll area, called the gantry, is at I-25 and 58th Avenue. It probably sounds more confusing than it will turn out to be. Be assured, we’ll be watching the HOT lanes "camera tour".

Photography by Michael Tamburello

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