Incorporating Managed Lanes into the Planning Process

This paper provides guidance to transportation professionals and agencies at the state, regional, and local levels involved in transportation planning and considering a managed lanes facility for their jurisdictions. Its intent is to highlight current managed lanes issues agencies need to address when developing managed lanes transportation projects at the earliest stage possible in the planning process to maximize their potential for success. It illustrates the interrelationships that make careful planning of managed lanes projects critical to successful implementation and operation. Topics addressed include the following: • Managed lanes strategies, their related goals, objectives, and performance measures; • Critical issues for managed lanes success; and • Developing the transportation plan with managed lanes in mind. The information provided in this paper offers valuable insight for professionals and ensures that they consider the potential for managed lanes projects early in the overall development process, involving the appropriate stakeholders when planning for the future of their transportation infrastructure. It also lays the groundwork for supporting their project development efforts once the planning process is complete.