For whom the road tolls

Whatever the Utah Department of Transportation can do to ensure better utilization of Utah's highways is worth investigating. Right now, UDOT is mulling the use of toll lanes, which would permit motorists to buy their way onto high-occupancy vehicle, or HOV, lanes — without carrying passengers.

The so-called HOT lanes, short for "high-occupancy toll" lanes, would take advantage of the available capacity in HOV lanes — for a price that has not yet been determined. The HOV lanes could still be used freely by any vehicle with two or more passengers. Tolls would provide new revenue for UDOT, which would be used to build and maintain roads, relieving taxpayers somewhat.

While most Westerners' experience with toll roads involves fumbling around for the correct change on some highway back East, many states today use vehicle-mounted transponders that automatically deduct payments from checking accounts or other designated payment sources. Although UDOT officials say Utah's HOT lanes likely would not be automated at first, the experiences of other states suggests the technology has been sufficiently developed to ensure the state receives toll payments and users are properly assessed.

Perhaps the most compelling argument for the proposed HOT lanes is the excess capacity available in existing HOV lanes. UDOT's research shows the existing carpool lanes carry about 650 to 800 cars during peak hours. Meanwhile, general-purpose lanes carry about 2,000 cars during rush hours. This suggests that too few Utahns carpool, or they may be unaware of the purpose of the HOV lanes. While the better solution would be a higher number of riders in fewer cars, HOT lanes would also improve the efficiency of I-15.

Although UDOT is still studying the issue of HOT lanes, one proposal envisions a pilot program that would convert all I-15 carpool lanes into HOT lanes by late 2006. That would coincide with UDOT's planned completion of two carpool lanes in Utah county — one in each direction.

The proposal would need approval from the Utah Transportation Commission, which would weigh it against other transportation needs. The prospect of tapping motorists who value their time so much they are willing to pay a premium for a more efficient commute is highly attractive and deserves the commission's full consideration.