VPP Projects Involving Tolls
Category: Priced Roadways
Sub-Category: Priced Tollways

Project - NEW JERSEY: Express Bus/HOT Lane Study for the Lincoln Tunnel

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) is advancing this project to assess the feasibility of pricing a new managed lane intended to connect the New Jersey Turnpike and New Jersey highways to the Lincoln Tunnel and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. On weekdays from 6-10 a.m., the PANYNJ currently operates a 2.5-mile eastbound contra-flow Exclusive Bus Lane (XBL) along the westbound Route 495 approach to the Lincoln Tunnel from the New Jersey highway interchanges. The XBL carries approximately 1700 buses and 62,000 passengers each morning to Midtown Manhattan, saving about 15-20 minutes in travel time as compared to vehicles in the regular travel lanes. Since the XBL has reached its capacity, the PANYNJ is assessing the physical and operational feasibility of adding a second priority bus lane to the corridor.

The project will assess options of pricing the excess capacity of a second Bus Lane in a High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lane application. The objective of this project is to determine whether value pricing might be used to allow non-bus traffic to use the excess capacity of a potential second Exclusive Bus Lane on NJ Route 495 leading to the Lincoln Tunnel and Midtown Manhattan. This study will consider whether pricing is an appropriate mechanism to manage the demand of non-bus traffic wishing to take advantage of the reliability and the improved service levels on a converted bus lane. A second phase of this study will provide an assessment of potential commercial vehicle applications in a converted managed lane during non-peak commuting hours. The concept that will be explored is the potential to use the existence of a separated managed lane and pricing to allow small trucks to take advantage of travel time and reliability advantages that such a lane would offer. It has been a long-standing objective of the PANYNJ to find more reliable and efficient service standards to small package and local delivery trucks serving Midtown Manhattan.

Pre-Implementation Funds Awarded

2004

Anticipated Completion Date

2009

October - December 2009 Update

The final evaluation criteria have been developed and agreed to among all stakeholders represented on the project's Oversight Committee. A modeling evaluation of all the operational and physical scenarios has been completed, followed by a screening of all alternatives. Finally, an assessment of implementation issues for the most promising scenarios was undertaken. All of the technical analyses, modeling and evaluation procedures have been completed.

The study was scheduled for completion by December 2009. The consultant completed all modeling, analysis and evaluation of scenarios and delivered a draft final report that is currently undergoing review and edits by agency and project team. The final report will be completed in February 2010.

For More Information Contact

Mark Muriello
PANYNJ
Assistant Director
Phone: (212) 435-4836
E-mail: mmuriello@panynj.gov

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Search Tolling and Pricing: Home About Tolling and Pricing Programs Value Pricing Pilot Program Express Lanes Demonstration Program HOV Facilities Interstate System Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Pilot Program Interstate System Construction Toll Pilot Program Title 23 United States Code Section 129 Toll Agreements Team Webinar Series Resources Expression of Interest Regulations/Policy FAQs	Home > VPP Program > Projects > Involving Tolls > Priced Roadways VPP Projects Involving Tolls Category: Priced Roadways Sub-Category: Priced Tollways Project - NEW JERSEY: Express Bus/HOT Lane Study for the Lincoln Tunnel The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) is advancing this project to assess the feasibility of pricing a new managed lane intended to connect the New Jersey Turnpike and New Jersey highways to the Lincoln Tunnel and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. On weekdays from 6-10 a.m., the PANYNJ currently operates a 2.5-mile eastbound contra-flow Exclusive Bus Lane (XBL) along the westbound Route 495 approach to the Lincoln Tunnel from the New Jersey highway interchanges. The XBL carries approximately 1700 buses and 62,000 passengers each morning to Midtown Manhattan, saving about 15-20 minutes in travel time as compared to vehicles in the regular travel lanes. Since the XBL has reached its capacity, the PANYNJ is assessing the physical and operational feasibility of adding a second priority bus lane to the corridor. The project will assess options of pricing the excess capacity of a second Bus Lane in a High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lane application. The objective of this project is to determine whether value pricing might be used to allow non-bus traffic to use the excess capacity of a potential second Exclusive Bus Lane on NJ Route 495 leading to the Lincoln Tunnel and Midtown Manhattan. This study will consider whether pricing is an appropriate mechanism to manage the demand of non-bus traffic wishing to take advantage of the reliability and the improved service levels on a converted bus lane. A second phase of this study will provide an assessment of potential commercial vehicle applications in a converted managed lane during non-peak commuting hours. The concept that will be explored is the potential to use the existence of a separated managed lane and pricing to allow small trucks to take advantage of travel time and reliability advantages that such a lane would offer. It has been a long-standing objective of the PANYNJ to find more reliable and efficient service standards to small package and local delivery trucks serving Midtown Manhattan. Pre-Implementation Funds Awarded 2004 Anticipated Completion Date 2009 October - December 2009 Update The final evaluation criteria have been developed and agreed to among all stakeholders represented on the project's Oversight Committee. A modeling evaluation of all the operational and physical scenarios has been completed, followed by a screening of all alternatives. Finally, an assessment of implementation issues for the most promising scenarios was undertaken. All of the technical analyses, modeling and evaluation procedures have been completed. The study was scheduled for completion by December 2009. The consultant completed all modeling, analysis and evaluation of scenarios and delivered a draft final report that is currently undergoing review and edits by agency and project team. The final report will be completed in February 2010. For More Information Contact Mark Muriello PANYNJ Assistant Director Phone: (212) 435-4836 E-mail: mmuriello@panynj.gov Back to Priced Tollways Projects
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