Commuter Credits: Proposed Program to Support Public Policy Goals of HOT Lanes

Georgia’s application for an Urban Partnership Agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation would entail the first conversion of a HOV lane to a HOT lane type configuration in the Atlanta region. Important concerns about the public’s willingness to accept this change in vehicle eligibility policy and application of tolling on highway lanes will therefore need to be addressed. The proposed Commuter Credits program was conceived to both address such equity concerns while also attempting to motivate alternate commute choices. Commuters who chose to participate in the program would be able to accrue credits that could be redeemed for free trips on the HOT lane. Credits would be earned by choosing alternative commute options such as transit, vanpooling, and carpooling. Even drivers of single occupant vehicles could earn credits if trips were made during the shoulder hours of the morning and afternoon peak periods. Collection and tracking of credits would occur via an integration of technology applications including toll collection transponders, a regional transit fare collection system, and a carpool and vanpool registry. Cursory analysis has been performed that indicates potential feasibility of the program yet further study is necessary to determine the commuting public’s willingness to participate in the program and the financial feasibility under likely credit accrual and reward schedules.