AP covers the opening of the first toll lanes in LA county: 110 Freeway Express Lanes that allow solo-drivers to use a carpool lane for a toll that varies with the level of congestion (i.e. congestion pricing). Shoup asks: "Why did it take so long?"
The 11 miles of converted High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV or carpool) lanes of the 110 Freeway from the 91 Freeway to downtown LA (see map) is a one-year pilot program. The lanes also go by the term, High Occupancy Toll (HOT) but will convert to HOV if speeds drop below 45 mph, according to this CBS news video report recorded opening night, Nov. 10.
"Toll roads and lanes have existed for years in neighboring Orange County and are standard on the East Coast but a novelty in Los Angeles County, and one that advocates say is long overdue and should reduce congestion for drivers in other lanes, too."
"It's about time," said Donald Shoup, a UCLA urban planning professor who has long lobbied for toll lanes and other methods of using markets to reduce congestion. "They work in San Diego; they work in many other cities. We have the worst congestion . and it's odd that we're one of the last cities to try it out."
According to KABC-TV/DT Los Angeles, prices range from "25 cents to $1.40 per mile depending on the time of day and amount of traffic. Metro estimates that it will cost a solo driver $7 per day to use the new lanes - that's $35 for a five-day workweek or $145 a month."
All vehicles using the express lanes, including carpoolers and motorcycle riders who will not be charged, "must set up an ExpressLanes FasTrak account and get a FasTrak Transponder", according to KABC-TV.
Next up for HOT conversion is a "14-mile toll lane along Interstate 10 planned for next year, and similar lanes could end up spanning the region, with scores of existing carpool lanes converted for tolls from individual drivers."
FULL STORY: LA charges into new territory with express lanes

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie