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MnPASS is an electronic toll collection system that provides motorists
with more choices.
- Freeway use at no charge
- Express Lane use by carpool at no charge
- Express lane use by single driver for a fee
FAST stands for Freeing Alternatives for Speedy Transportation.
HOT lanes are created by converting existing HOV lanes for toll
collection. FAST Lanes are added to existing or planned roadways.
FAST Lanes are financed, built and managed by private companies
in partnership with the state and paid for by motorists who pay
tolls via electronic transponders.
Buses and carpools are likely to have similar privilages as on
the I-394 Express Lanes.
In 1992 , Mn/DOT opened the state's first HOV lanes on Interstate
394. This heavily traveled route is used by commuters from the western
suberbs to downtown Minneapolis.
HOV stands for High Occupancy Vehicles and refers to carpools and
other vehicles carrying more than one occupant. HOV's incourage
carpooling by offering a faster commute in exchange for less cars
on the road.
P.S. A car carrying only one person is known as an SOV (Single
Occupant Vehicle).
The I-394 Express Lanes still have plenty of room for more users
without slowing the commute times.
In the spring of 2005 single drivers ( of SOVs) can choose to sign
up for MnPASS and use the express lanes for a fee.
When the Express Lanes are used by carpoolers for free and single
drivers who pay a toll their status will be upgraded from HOV (High
Occupancy Vehicle) Lanes to HOT (High Occupancy and Toll) Lanes.
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FAST Lanes, or Freeing Alternatives for Speedy Transportation are
lanes that are added to existing or planned roadways, financed,
built and managed by private companies in partnership with the state
and paid for by motorists who pay tolls to use them.
- Provides users with a new travel option
- Leverages private sector innovation and equity for transportation
improvements
- Manages congestion through pricing
- Provides congestion relief for adjacent lanes
- Convenient non-stop electronic toll collection
- Provides advantages for Bus Rapid Transit
Governor Tim Pawlenty and Lt. Governor Carol Molnau join Congressman
Mark Kennedy and Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell support plans
to move forward on bringing FAST Lanes to Minnesota. The next step
is to seek declarations of interest from the private sector for
developing the lanes. FAST Lanes are an additional element of the
Pawlenty-Molnau transportation plan, which uses internal savings
and federal dollars to accelerate $1.2 billion in road, bridge and
transit projects.
Examples
From Other States
Several states are already using electronic toll collection technologies
similar to the MnPASS system that will be used in Minnesota on the
I-394 MnPASS lanes.
Other states are exploring innovative ways to fund the expansion
of their transportation systems through partnerships with the private
sector to fund, build and maintain toll facilities or by issuing
bonds that are repaid by tolls collected.
Two toll facilities in California use electronic
toll collection systems similar to the I-394 MnPASS Express Lanes.
The Colorado
Tolling Enterprise enables the Colorado DOT and the state
Transportation Commission to issue bonds for new or additional
highway capacity toll projects throughout Colorado.
The Maryland Transportation Authority's seven toll facilities--a
turnpike, two tunnels and four bridges--and services are funded
through tolls paid by the customers who use the facilities.
Toll equity is one of the financing options that will help fund
the planned Trans-Texas Corridor
Virginia has several toll facilities, located in Northern Virginia,
Central Virginia and Hampton Roads, including the new Chesapeake
Expressway to the Outer Banks.
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