495 Express Lanes Entry Paper for ITS Awards 2013
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495 Express Lanes Entry Paper for ITS Awards 2013 The 495 Express Lanes project demonstrates the value the public and private sector can produce by working together to ensure innovation and sustainability in the financing, design, delivery and operation of transportation infrastructure. The nearly $2 billion project is a public-private partnership (PPP) between the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Transurban and Fluor. The 495 Express Lanes opened early and on-budget in November 2012. The Express Lanes makes the most significant package of improvements to Interstate 495 in Northern Virginia in a generation and results in one of the most technologically advanced roadways in the country. The partnership added four new high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes to the I-495 Capital Beltway across approximately 14 miles of one of the most congested roadways in the United States. The project also replaced $260 million worth of aging infrastructure. A total of 58 interchange bridges and overpasses were rebuilt and dedicated Express Lanes ramps were constructed to provide convenient access to major employment and retail destinations. Variable toll prices based on real-time traffic conditions manage traffic in the Express Lanes – providing a regional, free-flowing network. Carpoolers and transit can use the lanes for free with an E-ZPass® FlexSM. Other drivers can access the lanes by paying a toll via E-ZPass®. Below we’ve described the 495 Express Lanes through the various categories for entry including the public-private partnership efforts, the project’s outreach efforts, the technical advances related to the launch and operation of the roadway, and the efforts that have been undertaken for this roadway to be future-ready. Complex Tolling System Provides Predictable Travel to Congested Region Opening more than a month early, the 495 Express Lanes is one of the most technologically advanced roadways in the country with an extensive use of ITS technologies and partnerships to deliver Northern Virginia travelers with choices and predictability on the Capital Beltway. Interface with VDOT The 495 Express Lanes Operations Center interfaces directly with the Virginia Department of Transporta- tion’s (VDOT) already robust traffic management network to ensure smooth traffic operations, sharing of information and incident management on the Capital Beltway. Tapping into existing resources and tools, such as VDOT’s comprehensive Advanced Traffic Management System, 511 Virginia and the shared VDOT and Fairfax County Public Safety and Transportation Operations Center, will continue to be vital to keeping traffic moving on the Beltway. In addition to connecting to VDOT’s traffic management network, there was much work done to integrate with VDOT’s E-ZPass customer service center and tolling back office system. VDOT oversees and distributes E-ZPass transponders in Virginia so an integrated customer approach was important in the development of the Express Lanes customer service process.
Dynamic Pricing
• The project employs an innovative dynamic pricing system (DPS) algorithm with the integration
of the DPS to the traffic management system to receive traffic data and display pricing on
dynamic message signs (DMS) on the roadway.
• Microwave traffic sensors located approximately every 1/3 of a mile alongside the roadway
collect real‐time traffic flow data, including volume and speed on the Express Lanes, and send
the information to the Express Lanes Operations Center to feed the dynamic tolling algorithm
for use in the DPS.
• From this data, the Operations Center has the ability to adjust toll prices based on real-time
traffic volumes.
• Adjusting the toll prices based on traffic volumes manages the demand for the Express Lanes
and helps keep the lanes free-flowing at all times.
• The DMS approaching the Express Lanes access points inform drivers of real-time toll rates so
drivers can decide whether to use the Express Lanes.
• The DMS are full matrix signs. These dynamic signs are critical to showing toll pricing and
traveler information to travelers.
o Typically two DMS are used on each approach to the Express Lanes at every access
point.
o Four DMS are located on the Express Lanes corridor in each direction in order to provide
traveler information to motorists on the HOT Lanes.
• The complex Dynamic Pricing System (DPS) algorithm was tested using simulation tool
Transmodeler to test behavior and sensitivity of the algorithm with varying traffic conditions.
All-Electronic Tolling
• VDOT began issuing a new E-ZPass transponder for the HOV-3 travelers. The E-ZPass Flex is the
first switchable transponder in the E-ZPass network. It provides travelers with flexibility to travel
as toll-paying customers or HOV customers. VDOT and its partners worked on the design and
development of this transponder and had to roll it out by the summer of 2012 to ensure
travelers had enough time to get the new E-ZPass Flex. The switchable E-ZPass is also critical for
the enforcement process as it aids the Virginia State Police in enforcement of the Express Lanes.
• Toll gantries are located at nine tolling points on the Express Lanes in each direction to track a
driver’s trip in the lanes and charge one toll based on the trip traveled and real-time traffic
conditions on the Express Lanes.
• All vehicles traveling on the Express Lanes need to have an E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex transponder.
• As a driver travels at highway speeds under the gantries, antennas using radio frequency
identification (RFID) technology communicate with the transponder to gather transponder and
transaction information and to pass this information to the Express Lanes Operations Center to
process transactions and trips.
• Fully-electronic tolling enables more than four times the number of vehicles per hour to pay a
toll while traveling on the Express Lanes compared to a cash-based system as there is no slowing
down or stopping at a toll booth.
Incident Response
• Up to 62 closed-circuit cameras (CCTV) and automatic incident-detection (AID) cameras along
the corridor quickly detect incidents and alert the Express Lanes Operations Center operators tonotify dedicated incident-response crews assigned to the Express Lanes. These safety measures
and close coordination with VDOT and local emergency responders enhance driver safety.
o Closed circuit television cameras are used for surveillance and monitoring, detection
and identification of incidents.
o The pan‐tilt‐zoom cameras are spaced approximately every one mile along the corridor
and provide full corridor coverage.
o The fixed cameras are focused on areas with major traffic movements, such as
concentrated traffic weave movements and merge locations, to provide capability to
monitor traffic conditions and rapidly detect and identify traffic incidents in those areas.
Operations Center
• This is the nerve center where technology, infrastructure and personnel necessary to operate
the Express Lanes 24/7/365 come together.
o The Traffic Control Room features a dedicated 20 x 9 foot video wall with state-of-the-
art LED monitors that display live feeds from the cameras monitoring the roadway.
o The control room is expandable to include support of the I-95 Express Lanes, another
VDOT/Transurban/Fluor project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2014.
o The data center and traffic control room constantly send and receive information with
on-road technology managing traffic and tolling operation.
o Dedicated staff is present 24/7/365 in order to manage operations and customers.
Innovative Financing Makes Project Reality
At the time of financial close, the 495 Express Lanes project was the first dynamic
pricing PPP in the U.S., as well as the largest ever private sector investment in a U.S.
greenfield toll road PPP.
The nearly $2 billion project was made possible by an innovative financing strategy that incorporated
public funding, federal financing tools and private investment. The project used effective risk sharing
between the public and private sectors; a unique phased approach to facilitate financial close during
tough economic times; and innovative federal financing tools, making this project a pathfinder.
The partnership agreement between VDOT and private partners Transurban and Fluor includes features
to provide congestion relief and new travel choices today, while protecting taxpayers and the public
interest over the long term. These include:
• A significant upfront equity commitment to the project from the private partners;
• Shifting of key risks that would otherwise have been borne by VDOT and taxpayers to the
private sector – such as construction schedule and budget, financing and traffic and revenue
risks;
• An innovative revenue sharing agreement that means the public sector will share in the profits
of a successful project;
• Defined operations and maintenance performance standards for the full length of the
partnership; and continued ownership and oversight of the lanes by VDOT.
Funding for the 495 Express Lanes• $409 million grant from Virginia
• Private equity investment: $350 million with debt provided by innovative federal tools, backed
by private partner:
o $589 million TIFIA loan
o $589 million tax-exempt Private Activity Bonds
Extensive Outreach to Inform, Educate, Equip and Motivate Travelers
From day one of construction and throughout the project’s completion, the 495 Express Lanes
partnership made the commitment to be transparent, accountable and engaged with elected officials,
stakeholders, businesses and communities. These commitments served as the foundation for the entire
partnership’s Communications and Outreach Program to keep stakeholders informed and moving
throughout construction and bring awareness to how the Express Lanes will operate once opened.
During construction the Express Lanes partners used the following tactics to raise awareness:
• Electronic communications: Targeted emails, E-News updates, lane closure bulletins and
tailored information on both the VDOT and private partner’s project websites –
VAmagaprojects.com and Virginiahotlanes.com along with the newly launched
495Expresslanes.com.
o Social Media: Regular updates to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube with updated project
information and videos.
• Print communications: The VA Megaprojects Newspaper is issued three times a year and
inserted into 10 regional newspapers reaching over 500,000 households along with project
brochures, maps and fact sheets.
• Business and Community outreach: Personalized emails with fact sheets sent via email, fax or
hand delivery via extensive door-to-door outreach.
• Employer and Community briefings/forums: More than 1,000 construction and operation
update briefings/forums were held, timed in accordance with major construction activities.
These briefings allowed project staff and stakeholders to share project information and
provided a forum for frequently asked questions.
• Phone campaigns: Automated phone messages delivered to directly-impacted households.
• Door-to-door outreach: Tailored fact sheets and information hand-delivered to residences and
businesses, delivered in advance of major construction activities – rain or shine.
• Elected official outreach: Individual briefings to federal, state and local elected officials
supplemented by regular phone calls and emails.
• Media Outreach: Ongoing partnership with local media outlets to provide updated project
messages, share major construction impacts and launch operations communications on how to
use the lanes.
In January 2012, communications began to focus more on the operations of the 495 Express Lanes and
the need for E-ZPass®.
Outreach in advance of the launch of the Express Lanes included:
• A “soft launch” of the Express Lanes brand and new project website in January 2012 to generate
awareness, a continued a grassroots public information program through September, including
major employer outreach, E-ZPass incentive programs, festivals, and extensive earned media• Robust advertising campaign with diverse tactics that has served more than 375 million
impressions since late September
o Major print advertising campaign in The Washington Post and many of the community
newspapers
o Radio advertising and promotions across major Washington, D.C., area radio stations
o Online advertising across 450 targeted websites
o Cinema advertising with ads showing on 142 area movie screens
o 60 local delivery trucks branded with 495 Express Lanes messages
o 115 gas stations with pump topper ads and gas station TV ads
o Takeover of Tysons Corner Center mall via 495 Express Lanes posters, signage and floor
graphics
o Direct mail to more than 300,000 households
• More than 130 community festivals & employer events reaching more than 120,000 people
• More than 275 pieces of news coverage in 2012 with more than 32.5 million total impressions
• E-ZPass Incentive programs with a MINI giveaway and toll-free travel on the Express Lanes
• Launch of E-ZPass Flex at a VDOT press conference in July. The E-ZPass Flex is the first high
occupancy tolling (HOT) transponder available to the E-ZPass community, which comprises
roughly 75% of all of the tolling in the United States.
• On-Road signage to inform travelers of the opening date of the Express Lanes and the E-ZPass
requirement. Used 5 oversized banners on bridges and the network of more than 57 dynamic
message signs to reach travelers on the Beltway and arterial routes.
• Legislative outreach – 495 Express Lanes team members briefed all applicable local, state and
federal elected officials. The team also briefed all key members of the Virginia General
Assembly finance and transportation committees to guard against legislative action related to
issues that may emerge during the launch period, such as concerns around toll prices.
• Key Transportation Partnerships with organizations like the Fairfax County Department of
Transportation, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and the American
Motorcycle Association on major communications initiatives to ensure their constituents were
informed and prepared.
• Website outreach, including a new project specific website to help customers prepare to use
the Express Lanes. The website launched January 2012. When the road opened, the website
added new features including:
o Plan My Trip – provides directions, estimated toll price and estimated Express Lanes
duration
o On The Road Now page – shows live feeds from on-road cameras and pricing signage
o Historic Rates page – shows the pricing sign you would have seen before you entered
the Express Lanes
o Missed a Toll – allows you to pay your toll online if you traveled without an E-ZPass
o Did We Send You a Letter? page - allows travelers to pay toll invoices or dispute invoices
o Online chat feature – ability to chat with customer service representatives
Select Program Results:
• More than 30,000 E-ZPass Flex transponders were issued from July 2012 to December 2012
• Website traffic grew by more than 60% each month during most intense part of the campaign
• More than 32.5 million total earned media impressions
• More than 375 million advertising impressions• Very high awareness of the project with a recent survey showing that 96% of Beltway drivers
had seen, read or heard about the 495 Express Lanes as of December 2012
• Increased understanding of the Express Lanes with a recent survey revealing a 50%
improvement in Beltway drivers’ understanding of the basic attributes and requirements of the
road between March and September 2012
P3 Project Works with Partners
The 495 Express Lanes project by its structure was an innovative partnership. Throughout the project,
the Express Lanes team worked with various partners. Below are a few examples of partnership
throughout the Express Lanes project.
Public Safety and Law Enforcement
• For the operations period, Transurban developed a contract with the Virginia State Police to
enforce the HOV-3 rules as well as normal speed limit, seat belt, DUI and all other traffic laws.
• The Virginia State Police were an integral part of lane testing and enforcement system
development.
• The Express Lanes team held a crisis desktop exercise before opening with partners VDOT,
Transurban, Fairfax County Fire & Rescue, and Fairfax County Police, which developed and
conducted exercises simulating incidents on the Express Lanes and demonstrated coordination
among the partners.
• The partnership worked closely with Fairfax County Fire & Rescue in planning the 495 Express
Lanes emergency protocols, including providing the rescuers with detailed maps and training on
the Express Lanes for them to educate staff.
• The local law enforcement, including both the Fairfax County Police and Virginia State Police,
partnered on the Orange Cones. No Phones. distracted driving campaign.
Focus on Safety during Construction
Safety was a top priority for Transurban and Fluor during construction. The 495 Express Lanes project
had an excellent safety record, exceeding national standards. In September 2012, the project reached a
milestone 5 million safe work hours.
“VDOT and its partners have focused on creating an environment during construction that puts the
safety of workers, travelers and surrounding communities above all else. This team should be proud of
the safety record of this project.” – Garrett Moore, Chief Engineer, VDOT
VDOT provided dedicated resources throughout the 495 Express Lanes Corridor to keep drivers and
workers safe, and traffic moving during construction.
- Additional Virginia State Troopers and Fairfax County Police Officers
- Extra Safety Service Patrols 24 hours a day, 5 days a week
- New cameras throughout the corridor monitored by VDOT’s Traffic Operations Center
- Portable changeable message signs to provide drivers with real-time traffic condition, road
closure information and well as alternative route information
- Working with communities and officials to expedite solutions to address traffic conditions
worsened during construction- Fluor-Lane strict safety training requirements for all employees and contractors
- On-road Orange Cones. No Phones. signage
Orange Cones. No Phones.
Transurban and Fluor joined AAA Mid-Atlantic to launch “Orange Cones. No Phones.” (OCNP) to curb
distracted driving in the construction zone and keep both travelers and workers safe. The program was
implemented with the support of key local stakeholders, including VDOT, Federal Highway
Administration, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Virginia State Police and Fairfax County Police.
Initiatives included:
• Partnership with local law enforcement
• An employer challenge from Virginia's Secretary of Transportation
• Social marketing and on-road signs throughout the work zone.
• Employer Safety Challenge, led by Virginia’s Secretary of Transportation, to encourage local
businesses to reduce distracted driving among their employees.
• High School Safety Challenge, a high school-led campaign to reduce distracted driving among
students and their peers.
• National e-toolkit for departments of transportation and their project partners to create their
own campaigns.
• Annual distracted driving research reports of Beltway travelers and Northern Virginia Law
Enforcement.
• Special recognition of the Virginia State Police and Fairfax County Police Department.
After initial success, this also led to the development of a National e-Toolkit –Transurban-Fluor worked
with AASHTO and VDOT to distribute the e-toolkit, which provides the materials to launch, promote, and
sustain an OCNP campaign. In its first few weeks, 6 jurisdictions in the U.S. and Canada registered for
the national e-toolkit – this program has already shown uptake in other regions.
The OCNP program was a partnership that involved federal officials, local officials, law enforcement,
corporations, local students and all project partners. This work among partners, including AAA, resulted
in:
• An excess of 26 million media impressions since program’s launch
• 111 businesses signed up for the Employer Safety Pledge, with 100,000 employees impacted
through their participation
• More than 5,000 online toolkit unique visitors
• 33% decrease in phone use while driving in the construction zone
• Increased participation among teens by 19 percent over last year
• In 2011 60% of Fairfax County drivers were aware of the “Orange Cones. No Phones.” initiative
Corporate Partners
Throughout the project, VDOT, Transurban and Fluor worked closely with small and large companies in
the Beltway corridor. Keeping businesses informed and providing them information helped them
manage construction for their employees. It also served as a channel to reach many commuters at their
place of work.The team held an annual “Keep Tysons Moving” event attracting hundreds of Tysons business leaders
for an update on all major work in Tysons Corner. Capital One partnered with the team on this event by
providing the space for the event. Each year members of the business community came for the
presentation and transportation fair in the lobby, which included many transportation organizations in
northern Virginia.
The team also worked closely with companies like SAIC, Booz Allen Hamilton, Capital One, Northrop
Grumman, KPMG, Hilton Worldwide and many others to hold custom employee events. The project
team worked with these organizations to provide construction updates as well as operations-focused
events where employees could pick up an E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex at the event. The relationships with
employers were key to reaching many commuters in the Express Lanes corridor.
Additional Benefits: New Infrastructure, New Transit Options
Replacement of aging infrastructure
The 495 Express Lanes project reached far beyond the construction of the Lanes themselves. The project
also replaced $260 million worth of aging infrastructure, with 58 interchange bridges and overpasses
being completely rebuilt. Some of these new overpasses included dedicated Express Lanes ramps to
provide convenient access to major employment and retail destinations. Some also include new bicycle
lanes and pedestrian walkways. Thus, many Northern Virginians who might never pay a toll to use the
495 Express Lanes still benefit from the project in their use of the new, safer overpasses, and the bike
and pedestrian paths.
Increased transit options
The 495 Express Lanes encourage environmentally efficient transportation choices including riding a bus,
carpooling and vanpooling. All HOV-3 vehicles, including buses and vans, travel at no charge on the
Express Lanes. The Northern Virginia transit community has responded to the new 495 Express Lanes by
creating new express bus routes to popular destinations that utilize the new Lanes. This emphasis on
transit helps to reduce congestion and contributes to better air quality by moving multiple people in one
vehicle. And, those commuting via bus, car or vanpool receive the same travel time benefits as those
who pay a toll to use the Express Lanes.
495 Express Lanes Open to Public
The 495 Express Lanes opened a month early on November 17, 2012. The dynamic tolling system and
traffic management system, including dynamic message signs, and the operations center all functioned
well under real traffic conditions.
The opening of the Express Lanes introduced the biggest change to the region’s traffic patterns in more
than 30 years and has improved the traveling experience for all users of the Capital Beltway.
Traffic demand has ramped up over the first six weeks of operations with the percentage of new users
each day trending positively. Looking at the time period of November 17 – December 31, 2012:
• Toll revenue grew 99.1% from a daily average of $12,212 in the first week of operations to an
average of $24,317 in the week prior to the Christmas/New Year holidays.• Traffic increased 57.2%, from an average of 15,201 daily trips to 23,903 daily trips.
• As congestion increased, demand for the Express Lanes also increased, resulting in escalation of
the dynamic pricing. To travel the full length of the Express Lanes, the minimum toll price for the
period was $1.65 and the maximum peak price was $3.70.
• Revenue on the 495 Express Lanes in the week prior to Christmas was approximately double
that of the opening week of operations in mid-November.
Model for Future Expansion and Success
Managed lanes are a growing trend in the U.S. The 495 Lanes Express Lanes are a good example of a
successful P3 to deliver this solution. The project has many sustainable and repeatable aspects, including
the following:
Sustainability
• The Express Lanes Operations Center is LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design) through the use of sustainable and innovative construction materials and techniques.
The “green” building conserves water and heat, and reduces energy use through
environmentally-friendly plumbing, heating and mechanical systems. Paints featuring low VOC
(Volatile Organic Compound) emissions will provide a cleaner working environment, while
carpets with recycled content will reduce the use of natural resources.
• All-Electronic Tolling (AET) systems reduce the stopping and starting and emissions associated
with traditional tolling systems with booths. This project is the first all-electronic and open-road
tolling facility in the commonwealth of Virginia, keeping high-occupancy toll lanes traffic moving
at all times by using innovative technology integrating traffic management and tolling systems.
• High occupancy toll lanes, such as the Express Lanes, are an efficient transportation solution
that can help provide maximum congestion relief with minimum impact on the environment.
HOT Lanes encourage more environmentally efficient transportation choices including riding a
bus, carpooling and vanpooling (since the Express Lanes are free for HOV-3 and buses). They use
variable tolls to manage the number of vehicles choosing to use both the regular lanes and the
HOT Lanes. This reduces congestion and stop-start traffic, which recent studies show can reduce
the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) released into the environment.
• The 495 Express Lanes construction added new bike paths and sidewalks to every rebuilt
Beltway crossing and allows residents the option to get off the roads and onto their feet or bikes
and into a healthier mode of travel.
Repeatability
• This 495 Express Lanes team is planning the same successful undertaking for 2013-2014 to build
out I-95 by transitioning from HOV lanes to HOT lanes extending from I-395/95 Interchange in
Springfield to Garrisonville in Stafford County, VA) with all electronic tolling.
• The 495 Express Lanes team looks forward to repeating this process and delivering all of its
benefits as needed on other facilities.
Connected Vehicle Compatibility
• The 495 Express Lanes and the I-95 Express Lanes project are both designed to be compatible
and support connected vehicle programs through the use of a contiguous fiber communicationsbackbone through the entire corridor network that can be upgraded to include connected
vehicle equipment, to further increase user safety and traffic throughput.
Entry Information
Name of the project (as it should appear in materials and award): 495 Express Lanes
Category Entered: Best New Service
Name of Organization (as it should appear in materials and award): The Virginia Department of
Transportation, Transurban and Fluor
Name of Contact Person: Pierce Coffee
Mailing Address:
6440 General Green Way
Alexandria, VA 22312
Phone Number: 571-419-6102
E-mail Address: pcoffee@transurban.comSubcontractors involved in the delivery of the 495 Tolling and Traffic Management System (TTMS)
include the following:
• Raytheon Company, as the System Integrator
Raytheon Subcontractors include:
o Transdyn
Transdyn subcontractor:
CGAlliance
o 3M (formerly VESystems / Federal Signal Technologies)
o Cardiff Computer Associates
o CG Alliance
o Chesapeake Electrical Systems, Inc.
o Dynamic Computer Corporation
• Atkins (formerly PBS&J)
• Caliper Corporation
• CHL Business Interiors
• EFXMedia
• Estime Enterprise Inc.
• FreeAhead
• Hirschmugl, Heine & Associates, Inc.
• Intelligent Decisions
• Louis Berger
• Norm Pidgeon Consulting
• Nu-Pulse Technologies
• Orion Communications
• Orrick
• Potomac Architectural Millwork
• Precision Computer & Technology
• Robert Half International, Inc.
• Tipton Electrical
• Traffic Technologies Inc.
• True Creek Inc.
• TUV Rheinland of North America Inc.
• United Security & Communications
• Venable LLP
• Warfield Consulting
• Weris Inc.
• XeniaYou can also read
