How E-ZPass Flex will work on Hampton Roads express lanes, and how occupancy will be checked

Council members asked technical questions about transponders, occupancy and how drivers will use the express lanes; VDOT provided operational details on the FlexPass device and enforcement plans.

When asked how the FlexPass differs from a standard transponder, Hall explained that the FlexPass contains a switch drivers can toggle to indicate a high-occupancy trip. "The Flex Pass allows you to take advantage of having another individual in your car... there's a little switch on it that you just switch over," Hall said, and the tolling system will not charge the vehicle when the driver toggles correctly and the vehicle meets occupancy requirements.

On enforcement, Hall said the system will include vehicle-detection and occupant-detection technologies and that state police will enforce HOV rules on the network, though some enforcement details were "not yet determined." He also said the network will include multiple entry and exit points, configured based on interchanges and demand, for example near Denby Overpass, Mercury Interchange and Rip Rap Road on the peninsula.

Why this matters: How occupancy is verified and how enforcement works will shape user behavior and public acceptance of the managed lanes. Council members expressed interest in clarity on enforcement, the distance between entry/exit points, and whether single E-ZPass holders would be charged automatically if they ride in the managed lanes.