Texas cities are currently considering the managed lane concept for major freeway projects. As a new concept of operating freeways in a flexible and possibly dynamic manner, the managed lane concept has a limited experience base, thereby creating a knowledge vacuum in emerging key areas that are critical for effective implementation. . Complicating the effort is the rapid progress of several freeway improvement projects in Texas in which TxDOT is proposing managed lane operations. The operational experience both in Texas and nationally for managed lanes is minimal, particularly for extensive freeway reconstruction projects. The managed lane projects currently in existence involve retrofits of existing freeway sections within highly fixed access, geometric, and operational configurations, and established eligibility considerations. There are few projects in operation from which to draw experiential data on the implementation of managed lane freeway sections with complex or multiple operational strategies, including variations in eligible vehicle user groups by time of day. The objectives of this project are to investigate the complex and interrelated issues surrounding the safe and efficient operation of managed lanes using various operating strategies and to develop a managed lanes manual to help the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) make informed planning, design, and operational decisions when considering these facilities for its jurisdiction. This document presents the critical research results obtained over the five years of this project.

Although managed lanes will largely function under their intended standard operating procedures, certain conditions (i.e., construction, special events, incidents, or emergencies) may require unusual interim use of the facilities. Because interim managed lane use may detract from the facilities' intended performance, carefully crafted interim use policies should guide these decisions. Given the lack of formal policies or guidelines, variability in observed practices and limited understanding of potential benefits or concerns surrounding interim use of managed lanes (noted through a review of published literature and observed national practice), the objectives of this task were to: (1) discern any positive procedural trends in interim managed lane use that could be recommended for widespread implementation, (2) identify and describe potential benefits and concerns surrounding interim use of managed lanes, and (3) assimilate this information into recommended guidelines addressing all aspects of managed lane facility interim use. This information forms the basis of the recommendations contained in the Managed Lanes Manual developed for TxDOT and FHW A. Following a brief introduction, this report describes motivating conditions and strategies for interim use, general considerations for interim use (i.e., operational and safety effects, public acceptance and perceptions, etc.), and national interim use practice and experience. Based on these findings, recommendations for interim use based on the: (1) severity and nature of conditions; (2) time-of-day, anticipated duration, and traffic impacts; and (3) availability of alternative facilities or strategies are provided. Recommended planning activities and requirements for implementation are also provided.

The objectives of this research project are to investigate the complex and interrelated issues surrounding the safe and efficient operation of managed lanes using various operating strategies and to develop a managed lanes manual to help the Texas Department of Transportation make informed planning, design, and operational decisions when considering these facilities for its jurisdiction. This document presents three years of research in the form of a draft manual for managed lanes. It includes three chapters in draft form, which include a guide to the manual, an introduction to managed lanes, and design. This document includes research in a usable format, providing a clear, concise, and step-wise approach to planning designing, operating, and enforcing a managed lanes facility. It also refers the user to other pertinent documents which provide additional detailed information on various aspects of managed lanes.