We developed three options for when, where, and how drivers would be charged a toll.
All options we are studying for regional tolling would:
- Toll portions of I-5 and I-205 in the Portland metro region.
- Toll vehicles on all lanes with an all-electronic system.
- Not charge a toll overnight.
- Charge higher tolls during rush hours and in areas with more traffic.
- Have a set toll schedule so you know the toll before your trip.
- Allow for average travel speeds of 40 to 55 mph to get you a faster trip.
- Include a discount for low-income travelers.
OPTION 1: SYSTEM-WIDE TOLLING
Under Option 1, all drivers would pay a base toll when they enter the highway during daytime hours. Drivers would pay an additional toll when they go through high-traffic toll points to keep traffic moving.
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How drivers would pay tolls with Option 1:
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When: During daytime hours (5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
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Where: At on-ramps as you enter the highway and when you drive through high-traffic toll points.
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Example trip from Tualatin to I-405: Base toll + Toll Point E + Toll Point D + Toll Point C = Total cost
This option would include overhead toll structures, or “gantries," at each toll point and toll infrastructure at on-ramps to collect base tolls.
OPTION 2A AND 2B: TOLL ZONES
Under Option 2a or 2b, drivers would only pay tolls when they travel through toll zones during high-traffic times of day. These zones are shaded in the above maps. Compared to Option 1, there is no base toll and tolls in the zones would be $0 during low-traffic times of day.
Option 2a
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Option 2b
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How drivers would pay tolls with Option 2a and 2b:
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When: During daytime hours (5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
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Where: Only when you drive through a toll zone. You would only pay once per toll zone.
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Example trip from Tualatin to I-405: I-5 Zone 3 + I-5 Zone 2 = Total cost
The toll zones would be located in typical, high-traffic areas. Some places on I-5 and I-205 would not fall within a toll zone. We will decide the location of toll zones based on public feedback and technical considerations.
Option 2a and 2b would include overhead toll structures, or “gantries," in each toll zone. The amount you pay would depend on the time of day and how many zones you drive through.
Metro, our regional government, conducts traffic analyses for major transportation projects in the Portland area. In Metro's initial analysis of tolling options, they found that all proposed options would successfully result in average travel speeds of 40-55 mph. All options would also:
- Raise revenue for transportation improvements.
- Reduce regional vehicle miles traveled.
- Minimize traffic on nearby roads caused by drivers avoiding a toll.
- Have similar average costs for travelers.
Key differences between the options include:
- Option 2a and 2b may be less expensive and simpler to design, build, and operate than Option 1.
- Option 1 would likely take longer to build than Option 2a or 2b.
- Option 1 may encourage people to take other modes of travel (like public transit) instead of driving alone more than Option 2a or 2b.
Read more about the findings of our analysis here.