Conversion of high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes to high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes has become a relatively common managed lanes technique now employed in cities across the U.S. HOT lanes are created by developing a pricing system for existing HOV lanes that allow single occupancy vehicles to gain access to HOV lanes by paying a fee. Conversion of existing general purpose lanes to toll lanes or HOT lane operations, however, has not yet won public support as the perception persists that these "free" lanes have already been paid for and such conversions are a take-away. Focus groups were held in Minnesota to understand what policies, conditions, designs and operational characteristics could be considered that may satisfy concerns about general purpose lane adaptations to optional toll lanes or Flexible and Efficient Express (FEE) Lanes. FEE Lanes envision all users, except transit, paying a toll during peak-periods, with the lane reverting back to "free" operation outside of the peaks. Three configurations of FEE lanes were presented and a toll credit system was offered as a means to compensate users who may view the conversion as a take-away. Participants liked what they have already seen work, which is one priced lane on I-394 MnPASS, but were also concerned about user safety and equity. The credit system, which attempts to address user equity, was a source of confusion for many focus group participants. Although some participants seemed to like the idea of getting the credits to use FEE lanes, there were numerous concerns about logistics of credit management and distribution. These findings highlight the need for increased education and marketing about road pricing options which can assist in building support for a variety of pricing options, such as FEE lanes.

This study considers the feasibility of options for a new system of charging for road use in the UK, in order to make better use of road capacity and to help reduce traffic congestion. This would mean moving away from the current motoring taxation system and introducing a variable charging system depending on the level of road congestion. Issues discussed include: public attitudes, travel trends, options for national road pricing, institutional aspects of implementation, possible interim options to a national scheme, including the UK lorry road user charging scheme and local congestion charging pathfinder schemes. Amongst the report's conclusions, it finds that national road pricing is becoming feasible in the medium-term (in 10 to 15 years) and could meet the Government's objectives. However, its successful implementation requires the promotion of a greater degree of public acceptance. Although a national scheme is still some years off, a number of practical steps can be taken now in preparation, including promoting a public debate to inform and raise awareness, with research into road users' behaviour and implications for business; working with car manufacturers in the development of vehicle technology standards; and working with local authorities on introducing local charging schemes to tackle congestion problems. This document is published alongside the Transport White Paper "The future of transport: a network for 2030" (Cm. 6234, ISBN 0101623429).

This synthesis will be of interest to administrative and financial officials of toll authorities, as well as members of the governing boards of these agencies. It will also be of interest to state departments of transportation and to legislators who are exploring innovative methods for financing major highway facilities. This synthesis also provides useful information for bonding and other financial institutions. It presents information on the current tolling policies and practices employed by highway, bridge, and tunnel tolling authorities throughout the United States. This report of the Transportation Research Board presents a profile of the traditions, pricing practices, and operational aspects of the tolling industry. Based on information derived from survey responses from 41 toll organizations, representing over 90% of annual U.S. toll transactions, the research for the synthesis indicates that the tolling industry employs a wide range of policies and practices, including many innovative approaches, used in response to the need to provide improved highway facilities. Case studies of several selected innovative tolling practices are discussed: variable/congestion pricing; high- occupancy toll, or HOT lanes; public-private partnerships; interagency partnerships; and others such as state infrastructure banks (SIBs), shared resource agreements, and transportation utility fees. Detailed information on the experience of states with privatization of highway facilities is also presented. A unique summary of the future issues to be addressed in the tolling industry as gleaned from the survey concludes the document.

"TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 722: Assessing Highway Tolling and Pricing Options and Impacts provides state departments of transportation (DOTs) and other transportation agencies with a decision-making framework and analytical tools that describe likely impacts on revenue generation and system performance resulting from instituting or modifying user-based fees or tolling on segments of their highway system. Volume 2: Travel Demand Forecasting Tools provides an in-depth examination of the various analytical tools for direct or adapted use that are available to help develop the forecasts of potential revenue, transportation demand, and congestion and system performance based on tolling or pricing changes. Volume 1: Decision-Making Framework includes information on a decision-making framework that may be applied to a variety of scenarios in order to understand the potential impacts of tolling and pricing on the performance of the transportation system, and on the potential to generate revenue to pay for system improvements"--Publication information.