An interview with HOT lane expert Jack Finn of HNTB, which asks the tough questions, like are these "Lexus lanes" bad for the poor, or the environment?
Eric Jaffe at the Infrastructurist conducted this interview:
"I. Some have criticized HOT lanes for being unfair to the poor.
JF: The ones in California, when they first opened, people started to call them the 'Lexus lanes.' Then they started doing studies and it turns out everybody from all income levels and age groups uses the lanes. If you gotta punch a clock and were late two days before, you're willing to pay to make sure you get to work on time."
Finn also discusses whether HOT lanes encourage single-riders, and how to guarantee a 60 mph speed at all times.
FULL STORY: The Truth About HOT Lanes
Congestion Pricing in the San Francisco Bay Area
Planners call them “express lanes,” but make no mistake, they are congestion pricing in action, and they're successful. The Bay Area network of what the Federal Highway Administration calls “high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes” is growing.
Tollways for Sacramento?
Road pricing terminology can be confusing, particularly since Californians see so little of it. For example, a Sacramento TV station calls proposed express lanes on Interstate 80 from Solano County to Sacramento a ‘tollway.’
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The California Department of Transportation released its draft carbon reduction strategy last month to apply for Carbon Reduction Program funds included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Road pricing plays a prominent role.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
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Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Minneapolis Bans Rent-Setting Software
Four cities have enacted restrictions on algorithmic software that can inflate rent costs.
Oakland to Add 244 New EV Chargers
Oakland plans to launch its new charging network at eight locations by the end of 2025.
Jane Goodall Inspires with Message of Hope, Resilience, and Environmental Action
Speaking in Pasadena, Jane Goodall offered a hopeful and inspirational message, urging global compassion, environmental responsibility, and the power of individual action to shape a better future.
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