# title
Gupta, Vivek Kumar (2020-11). The Impact of the I-35 Hot Lane Toll Cap on Congestion and Revenue. Master's Thesis.

# abstract
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has deployed a dynamic toll pricing algorithm that charged tolls to single-occupant vehicles for using the MnPASS lanes during the operational hours. The toll algorithm was set to vary tolls from $0.25 up to $8 i.e., the toll cap, based on the traffic conditions on the MnPASS lanes. This research analyzed the pattern of occurrence of toll caps on I-35W MnPASS lanes using two years (2016 and 2017) of toll transaction data. Toll caps were most frequently charged to morning hour trips that began near Burnsville and Highway 13 tolling locations and ended near Downtown Minneapolis in the northernmost section of the I-35W MnPASS lanes. Many SOV travelers continued to pay to use the MnPASS lanes when the toll was $8 which resulted in the level of service C conditions and below near Cliff road. Speed and Flow readings near Cliff road became worse when trips were charged the maximum toll. Additionally 65-70% of MnPASS trips where users paid $8 tolls, had an average trip speed below 50 mph. Hence, the toll algorithm was unable to raise tolls during peak demand and maintain least LOS C traffic conditions during the toll cap. This research estimated speed and flow on the MnPASS lanes at tolls greater than the toll cap. MnPASS customers were assumed to choose MnPASS lanes over GP lanes only if the increased toll was worth their travel time savings. Moreover, customers who paid $8 toll may be willing to pay a greater toll than $8. It was found that MnPASS lanes could maintain least LOS C conditions along with better throughput and increased revenue if the toll could exceed $8.

# websites[].label
The Impact of the I-35 Hot Lane Toll Cap on Congestion and Revenue