HOT Revenue Generators?

States are increasingly looking to high occupancy toll lanes as a means of revenue generation as well as congestion management, as they deal with the shortfall in transportation revenue from federal and state governments. Ga. may provide a good test.

2 minute read

December 2, 2013, 11:00 AM PST

By Irvin Dawid


"States from California to Virginia see the lanes, often set up in partnership with private companies, as a crucial way of generating new revenue in an era of constrained budgets—even though some haven't generated the dollars they were projected to bring in. Road planners like the idea of adjusting prices to manage traffic, and they think drivers prefer the option of paying to get there faster over traditional tolls." writes Cameron McWhirter

With HOT lanes or "Express Lanes", as transportation planners, including the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) like to call them because of the speed advantage paying users enjoy, the adjacent lanes remain free or "unmanaged" and can experience congestion, especially during peak hours.

A good comparison with the revenue brought in from traditional tolls, where all lanes are tolled, will soon be available thanks to Republican Gov. Nathan Deal's promise to voters to eliminate tolls on Georgia 400. The toll plaza was shut down on November 22.

As part of an $840 million project called the Northwest Corridor [GDOT press release, PDF], "the most expensive in the state's history," HOT lanes will be installed "along 30 miles of interstates 75 and 575 in Cobb and Cherokee counties", according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Now Georgia "hopes some of the revenue will replace the roughly $20 million a year it used to generate from Georgia 400," writes McWhirter.

This will not be Georgia's first foray into HOT lanes. On October 10, 2011, we posted "Atlanta's New I-85 Express Lanes Off To Rough Start." Virginia appears to have experienced the same slow start with the 495 Express Lanes in northern Virginia in February, also described in October.

Yet the Virginia Department of Transportation is not deterred. In consortium with Australia-based Transurban Group Ltd, "plans to open more HOT lanes on a portion of nearby I-95.

Friday, November 29, 2013 in The Wall Street Journal

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

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.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

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?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

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.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

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.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

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.

July 11 - Cities Today