Dynamic tolling uses sensors and other measuring devices to assess the amount of traffic on the road and vehicles' speed. The system increases tolls if it detects traffic slowing down in a managed lane which then decreases when there is free movement.
A report from
Michael Lewis, CDoT's executive director, says: “If you use fixed pricing, you can’t adjust for real-time conditions. What this is about is squeezing out the best reliability on these corridors that we can.”
Highway operator Plenary Roads Denver will implement radar devices, trip travel indicators and will use existing tolling equipment to measure traffic volume and speeds on the roadway.
The US 36 and I-25 also have free general purpose lanes for motorists who do not wish to pay for using the road.
Drivers travelling in vehicles with three or more occupants will be able to use the managed lanes for free.
The 5701 Colorado Department of Transportation (CDoT) says its trial of dynamic tolling will alleviate congestion and give drivers more reliable travel times. The technology will be implemented along the US 36 between Denver and Boulder and a segment of Interstate 25.
