Congestion Management Pricing

On July 14, 2003, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) adopted a toll policy for the 91 Express Lanes based on the concept of congestion management pricing. The policy is designed to optimize 91 Express Lanes traffic flow at free-flow speeds. To accomplish this, hourly traffic volumes in the 91 Express Lanes are continually monitored. Once the hourly traffic volumes are consistently too heavy and there is the potential for traffic congestion, a rate adjustment is made. This primarily impacts the eastbound evening rush hours.

Recent surveys of customers indicate that 91 Express Lanes users lead busy lives with many hours dedicated to commuting to and from their jobs. About 85 percent of customers are married, with more than half raising children. Many customers choose the toll road only on days they need it most, joining general freeway lane commuters on other days. Customers emphasize they value a fast, safe, reliable commute and the toll policy strategy is designed to support this value.

To implement the toll policy, OCTA monitors hourly traffic volumes. Tolls are adjusted when traffic volumes consistently reach a trigger point where traffic flow can become unstable. These are known as “super peak” hours. Given the capacity constraints during these hours, pricing is used to manage demand. Once an hourly toll is raised, it is frozen for six months. This approach balances traffic engineering with good public policy. Other (non-super peak) toll prices are adjusted annually by inflation. The toll policy goals are to:

 

• Provide customers a safe, reliable, predictable commute.
• Optimize throughput at free-flow speeds.
• Increase average vehicle occupancy.
• Balance capacity and demand, thereby serving both full-pay customers and carpoolers with three or more people who are offered discounted tolls.
• Generate sufficient revenue to sustain the financial viability of the 91 Express Lanes.

The effect of the toll policy has been an increase in customer usage with sufficient revenue to pay all expenses and also provide seed funding for general freeway improvements. Revenues generated by the toll lanes stay on the SR-91 corridor – a significant departure from past practices. Under the previous owner’s agreement with the state’s Department of Transportation, a “non-compete” provision restricted adding more capacity to the SR-91 corridor until 2030. When OCTA purchased the lanes, it opened the door for new improvements on SR-91 by eliminating the non-compete provision.

As tolls change, OCTA notifies customers in advance via on-road variable message signs, website updates and email. If you would like email notification of future changes and your email address is not on file with us, please contact the 91 Express Lanes Customer Service Center at (951) 278-9191 or go to 'My Account: Update Account Information' to submit your e-mail address. If you have any questions, please contact the 91 Express Lanes Customer Service Center.