Get ready for congestion pricing on I-10

The new toll lanes on the finished I-10 product may cost more to drive during rush hour.

The Harris County Toll Road Authority is recommending the court set a rate of $1.25 during nonpeak hours for the trip between Texas 6 and the West Loop and double that during the morning and evening rush hours.

The court voted last June to double tolls on the Westpark Tollway during rush hours but overturned its decision days later following a public outcry over the plan.

The court is expected to set the prices for toll lanes on the Katy Freeway in the coming months.

[...]

The decision on imposing peak-hour pricing rests with Commissioners Court, [Peter Key, HCTRA deputy director,] said.

"We think (peak-hour) pricing is the most effective way to keep traffic flowing and the safest way," Key said.

County Judge Ed Emmett said, "We have to maintain a certain speed in those lanes, and congestion pricing is supposed to do that."

Despite the fiasco that was Westpark congestion pricing, I have no quarrel with this. It makes sense, and you can always choose the non-tolled lanes of I-10 instead, which unlike Richmond Avenue should be able to handle the extra volume. And it may have to, if the toll lanes get too much action:

If a $2.50 toll did not keep traffic flowing at a minimum of 45 mph, the toll road authority could recommend that the court raise the price, Key said.

"If we don't maintain that flowing traffic in that (Katy Freeway toll area), we will have to make changes," he said. "One potential change would be the toll rate."

How high do you think they'd go? I can imagine a situation in the future where folks will have to make some unpleasant choices about their daily commute. Do you prefer to pay an extortionate toll, or leave for work at 5 AM to avoid crushing traffic? How about organizing a carpool?

Vehicles with three or more occupants will be able to travel for free in the eastbound toll lanes from 6 to 11 a.m. and in the westbound toll lanes from 2 to 8 p.m., year-round.

Besides high-occupancy vehicles, only vehicles with EZ Tags will be allowed to travel the toll lanes.

I don't remember if this has been discussed somewhere before, but how exactly is that going to be done? If I've loaded up my minivan with commuters and I zip through an EZ Tag lane on I-10 without having an EZ Tag in my car, will I get nailed by the cameras, or will those cameras be able to verify that I have the minimum number of passengers and let me go? Will there be a special carpool lane? Will I need to have an EZ Tag and then fill out a form to get a rebate? If anyone knows the answers here, please leave a comment. Thanks.

UPDATE: Michael Jones explains it in the comments:

My understanding is the three "tolling plazas" will be manned during the AM and PM rush to monitor compliance. Each toll plaza will have multiple lanes, and drivers will be told to use the one closest the monitoring station if they have 3 or more.

Less than three in the "three or more" lane, and the monitor pushes a button, and your EZ tag is charged.

During non-rush periods, the lane will be closed (forcing everyone into the full-time toll lanes) or will be switched to full-time toll.

Katy Tollway Information Page

Good to know. Thanks!

Posted by Charles Kuffner on April 08, 2008 to Planes, Trains, and Automobiles