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Board approves variable user‑fee methodology for I‑24 choice lanes, including multipliers for heavy vehicles
Summary
The Transportation Modernization Board approved a methodology allowing TDOT to set pricing thresholds and user‑fee multipliers for heavy commercial vehicles in the I‑24 choice lanes to manage congestion and ensure travel‑time reliability.
The Transportation Modernization Board voted 5‑0 to approve TDOT’s proposed methodology for setting variable user fees on the I‑24 choice lanes.
Brian Ledford, TDOT, told the board the department seeks authority to establish one or more pricing thresholds that let the developer dynamically price lanes to optimize utilization and preserve contractual operational requirements. Ledford said the methodology would allow TDOT to set minimum operating speeds (a contract minimum) and pricing thresholds that the developer may use; if the developer raises prices above an upper threshold to meet contractual requirements, TDOT will share in that revenue.
Ledford described the user‑fee approach as intended to balance lane utilization and travel‑time reliability: pricing adjusts to manage congestion, while thresholds and contractual minimum speeds protect performance. The board asked about monitoring and accountability; Ledford described two systems — a developer‑installed roadside transponder/gantry system and a TDOT commercial back office that TDOT plans to procure after commercial close to handle customer service and reconciliation.
Motion and vote: Mister Cosmo moved to approve the methodology and the motion was seconded; votes were recorded as ayes from Bradshaw, De Cosmo, Johnson, Keeney and Chairman Reed and the item was approved 5‑0.
