Content references source material no longer available at its original location.
Cost estimates of operational concepts for converting HOV lanes to managed lanes on I-75/I-575 in Georgia range from $20.9 million to $23.7 million.
Made Public Date
07/20/2007
Identifier
2007-SC00128
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Summary Information

In 2005, the Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) received a grant through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Value Pricing Pilot Program to investigate the application of value pricing to the HOV/BRT project along the I-75/I-575 corridors. A study was commissioned to evaluate innovative alternatives to manage current and future congestion along the I-75/I-575 corridors. The evaluation of value pricing began when Georgia Department of Transportation began studying options for extending the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) system on I-75 and I-575 in 2001. The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA), at approximately the same time, began exploring transit options along the I-75 corridor northwest of Atlanta. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) was identified as the preferred transit option. In 2004, Georgia DOT and GRTA began working together on the combined I-75/I-575 HOV/BRT project.

The proposed HOV/BRT project and the value pricing study area spans 14.5 miles along I-75 from Akers Mill Road to Wade Green Road, and 11.5 miles along I-575 from the I-75 interchange to Sixes Road. As part of the HOV/BRT alternative, seven transit stations are proposed. Private vehicles are provided with nine points of access to managed lanes.

The objective of the study is to determine if converting planned HOV lanes to managed lanes would provide for congestion-free travel for HOV 2+ occupants, transit, and SOVs willing to pay a toll. The value pricing study consisted of six elements:

  • Existing traffic conditions and trends in the I-75/I-575 corridor
  • User perception of tolling and value of travel time based on a preference survey
  • Modeling and estimation of traffic demand based on expected travel behavior
  • Annual forecasts of traffic and toll revenue derived from anticipated traffic in the managed lanes
  • Tolling technology and operation with HOV to managed lanes conversion and operating costs
  • Assessment of available truck traffic data

As part of the value pricing study, two operational concepts were developed. Both plans assume that tolls will be levied based on distance traveled. During the more congested periods higher toll rates (per mile rate) will be in effect, with lower per mile tolls in effect during lesser congested periods. The toll schedule will vary, but the pricing scheme will be fixed. HOV is assumed to travel in the managed lanes at no charge. The proposed I-75/I-575 managed lane project is envisioned as a complex blend of current and prevailing technology. Given the multiple access and egress points results in a complex pricing structure with the need for an extensive motorist information network.

For the I-75/I-575 project, the physical location of the managed lanes is still undecided; however, the access locations have been determined and the operational concepts will not change if the managed lanes are located in the median, or on side of the general purpose lanes.

The value pricing study included a toll technology and cost analysis. The study builds upon planned infrastructure; the majority of the implementation costs are associated with toll collection hardware and software. The costs of a fully electronic tolling system are practicality negligible when compared to with the costs of constructing the managed lanes, which are estimated to exceed a billion dollars. A cost estimate was developed for the two proposed operational concepts. The estimated capital cost for each concept (tolling equipment and back-office systems) is:

Concept A: $20,896,850
Concept B-1: $23,672,750
Concept B-2: $21,348,750

Each concept is described below along with details of the corresponding cost estimate.

Concept A

Concept A involves a series of nine mainline tolling zones located at strategic locations throughout the managed lanes system. Tolling zones, it is noted, are effective when a single gantry can span both directions of the managed lanes facilities. However, three of the build options split the managed lanes on either side of the general purpose lanes requiring two tolling zones – one in each direction. All of the hardware is located along the mainline. This concept is similar to the system operating on the SR 91 in California, Melbourne City Link, and the New Jersey Turnpike.

The toll rate for each toll zone would be set to the distanced traveled and the toll rate in effect at the time of entry. Enforcement for this concept is through visual inspection. As an alternative, eligible HOVs would be required to register with the operating agency.

 

Cost Category Cost Items Sub-Item Description
Unit of Measure
Quantity
Unit Price
Extended Price
Sub Total
I. Right of Way Right of Way
$ -
II. Construction
1. Structures Gantry Structure - 3 Lane Cross Section
Each
8
$65,000
$520,000
$1,300,000
Gantry Structure - 2 Lane Cross Section
Each
6
$60,000
$360,000
Toll & Communication Equipment Building
Each
14
$30,000
$420,000
2. Electronic Toll Collection ETC Reader (HOV lane)
Each
14
$4,000
$56,000
$266,500
ETC Reader (SOV lanes)
Each
22
$4,000
$88,000
Transceiver
Each
14
$3,500
$49,000
ETC Reader Controller
Each
14
$4,000
$56,000
Power Supply
Each
14
$250
$3,500
Surveillance Camera (Incident Management)
Each
14
$1,000
$14,000
3. Violation Enforcement System Camera - HOV
Each
28
$3,500
$98,000
$431,000
Camera - SOV
Each
44
$3,500
$154,000
Power Supply
Each
14
$250
$3,500
Indicator Light - HOV
Each
14
$2,000
$28,000
Indicator Light - SOV
Each
22
$2,000
$44,000
VES Controller
Each
14
$5,000
$70,000
Image Processor
Each
1
$6,500
$6,500
Optical Character Recognition Server
Each
1
$7,000
$7,000
Optical Character Recognition Software/Interface
Lump sum
1
$20,000
$20,000
4. Vehicle Detection & Violation Trigger Overhead/In-ground Sensor -HOV
Each
14
$4,500
$63,000
$174,000
Overhead/In-ground Sensor -SOV
Each
22
$4,500
$99,000
Software, Interface Support, engineering Support & Documentation
Lump Sum
1
$12,000
$12,000
5. Lane Processing Equipment Lane Controller
Each
14
$12,500
$175,000
$466,000
Lane Cabinet & Electronics
Each
14
6,500
$91,000
Lane Software
Lump Sum
1
$200,000
$200,000
6. Signs Variable Message Sign (Mainline)
Each
3
$120,000
$360,000
$3,000,000
Variable Message Sign (Close Ramp Entrance)
Each
16
$60,000
$960,000
Fixed Overhead Signs (Bridge Structure)
Each
20
$60,000
$1,200,000
Fixed Overhead Signs (Butterfly Structure)
Each
16
$30,000
$480,000
7. Pavement
Mainline Widening at the Tolling Zone
per square yard (12' concrete)'
18200
$40
$728,000
$728,000
8. Communications Connection to Existing Fiber
Each
14
$1,000
$14,000
$155,000
Network Equipment
Each
14
$9,000
$126,000
Fiber to HOT Operation Center
Ft
15000
$1
$15,000
9. Power Breaker Panel
Each
14
$2,000
$28,000
$707,000
UPS & Battery Cabinet
Each
14
$5,000
$70,000
Conduit & Wiring
Each
14
$20,000
$280,000
Disconnect & By-Pass Switch
Each
14
$3,500
$49,000
Service Connection
Each
14
$20,000
$280,000
10. Mini Generator Generator Unit
Each
14
$6,500
$91,000
$119,000
Conduit & Wiring
Each
14
$2,000
$28,000
11.Contigencies 25% of Subtotal (Item 1 through Item 10)
25%
$1,837,000
12. Construction Subtotal subtotal of Item 1 Through Item 11
$9,183,500
13. Mobilization 10% of Construction Subtotal (Item 12)
10%
$918,350
14. Construction Total Total of Item 12 and Item 13
$10,101,850
III. Design Engineering and Admin Design Engineering and Admin
20% of Line Construction Total
20%
$2,020,000
IV. Capital Cost for Operations
1. Back-office Equipment Host Server & Data Storage
Each
2
$100,000
$200,000
$1,150,000
Database SW and Licenses
Each
2
$50,000
$100,000
Host Software
Lump Sum
1
$200,000
$200,000
System Application Software
Lump Sum
1
$400,000
$400,000
Maintenance Management
Lump Sum
1
$200,000
$200,000
Equipment Cabinet
Each
2
$2,000
$4,000
Router & Switch
Each
1
$2,000
$2,000
Network Equipment & Materials
Lump Sum
1
$8,000
$8,000
Workstations
Each
4
$2,000
$8,000
Printers
Each
1
$2,000
$2,000
UPS & Battery Cabinet
Each
1
$6,000
$6,000
Installation and Configuration Support
Lump Sum
1
$20,000
$20,000
2. Transponders Transponders
Each
225,000
$25
$5,625,000
$5,625,000
3. CSC Hardware and Software Customer Service Center
Lump Sum
1
$2,000,000
$2,000,000
$2,000,000
4. Operation Total Operation Total
$8,775,000
V. Total Estimate Cost Total of Construction Cost and Design Cost
$20,896,850


Concept B

Concept B is based on a closed electronic tolling system where tolls are assessed based on the entry and exit points. Toll zones are mounted on gantries similar to that in Concept A. Unlike Concept A, toll collection equipment is located on the ramps with the exception of the facility termini. To allow for some flexibility to the design of the facility, the location of the tolling zones at the termini could be inside the last entry/exit locations with all of the occupancy technology on the ramps.

Concept B has two sub-options. Concept B-1 would require widening each entry ramp to two lanes to accommodate the delineation of HOV and SOV. Similarly, each mainline tolling zone would need to be widened to accommodate a three lane cross-section. Concept B-2 does not involve implementing dual lanes on the ramps; rather this sub-option would reply on visual inspection or HOV registration for enforcement. (Note: See the source report for the detailed cost data tables for Concept B-1 and Concept B-2).

O&M

Operations and maintenance costs were also considered in the value pricing study. Typical operations and maintenance costs are:

    • Transaction processing costs (industry average billing cost of $0.12 per transaction)
    • Toll equipment capital costs (effective life span of 10 years; initial installation 2011, updated in 2021 and again 2031)
    • Toll equipment maintenance costs (industry average of 10% of capital costs per year; the costs of labor, vehicles, maintenance shops, and spare parts are included in the 10% per year costs)
System Cost

Concept A: $20.9 million (2005). Concept B-1: $23.7 million (2005). Concept B-2: $21.3 million (2005).