VPP Projects Involving Tolls
Category: Systemwide Pricing

Project - WASHINGTON: Tolling Strategies in the Seattle Area

In FY2002, the VPP program funded a GPS-based region-wide pricing simulation that is in its final phase. In FY2004, the VPP program funded pre-implementation efforts for HOT lanes on State Route 167. The Washington State Transportation Commission recently completed public opinion research to assess the awareness and acceptance of tolling for revenue generation and traffic management.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) was awarded $935,000 in FY 2006 funds to advance public awareness and acceptance of value pricing and associated operational toll concepts from a "user's perspective," incorporate previous study findings into near and mid term policies and project planning, and improve state and regional coordination.

The project will communicate to the public and elected officials the concept of value pricing and how tolling can help manage traffic. The inability of public agencies to effectively communicate these concepts has hindered and delayed acceptance of pricing concepts.

Pre-implementation Funds Awarded

January 2006

Anticipated Completion Date

May 2011

January - March 2011 Update

WSDOT will submit a drift final summary report for this project in May 2011 for FHWA review. The report and related web site will include links to a wide variety of work products resulting from this effort, including regional coordination on operational, research and legislative support issues; the SR 520 Tolling Implementation Committee effort to engage the public and businesses about early tolling using variable rates to fund a replacement SR 520 floating bridge; and efforts to integrate pricing strategies into the regional Metropolitan Transportation Plan and to evaluate existing and potential new pricing projects.

For More Information Contact

Rob Fellows
Tolling Division
Washington State DOT
Phone: (206) 464-1257

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