The objective of this Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) research project was to develop guidance materials on intermediate access to a buffer-separated toll lane. To develop the material, researchers gathered other state guidelines, reviewed the literature, and recorded operations at five intermediate access sites. From videotapes of the sites, characteristics of approximately 8400 vehicles that moved into or out of the managed lane were recorded. Examples of the characteristics measured included where the vehicle entered or left the lane (early, within the opening, or late) and the lane of origin for the vehicle. Volume counts for 5-minute periods were associated with each maneuver.

This report documents the development of a decision support methodology that accomplishes two objectives: (1) sorts out the relationships between managed lanes concepts and strategies, and (2) maps the knowledge territory in order to identify gaps. In conjunction with this particular research task, a user-friendly preliminary screening tool has been developed to assist the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in identifying managed lanes strategy options very early in the conceptual planning process. The framework for the decision support methodology is the backbone for the Managed Lanes Handbook, which offers the resources and guidance to develop a managed lanes project, addressing characteristics unique to individual facilities. This report also summarizes the evolution of managed lanes in Texas over the last five years, the legislative initiatives that have shaped TxDOTs current approach to implementation, and the gaps in the knowledge base that still leave many questions unanswered. At the national level managed lanes are a relatively new and emerging concept. However, TxDOT has led the nation in research and development with two highoccupancy toll (HOT) lanes and 10 freeway high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) facilities in operation and over a dozen managed lanes projects currently under development in 10 Texas cities. Even with the experience to date, there are still many unanswered questions related to the long-term operation of managed lanes and numerous unknown factors that will require further research and documented practical experience through diligent monitoring and evaluation of facilities as they are implemented.

This handbook is an update of the 1983 edition and reflects the tremendous developments in computing and communications technology. It also reflects the importance of "Integrated" Transportation Management Systems and the development of the concept of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). The handbook development began with a survey of current practice, including site visits and interviews, of ten Freeway Management Systems throughout the country. It was developed under the advice of a panel of freeway management practitioners. The 1997 edition is organized in modular fashion with each module addressing a particular aspect or technology of the freeway management task. The modules are stand-alone treatments of particular areas of freeway management but are cross-referenced to reflect their interdependence

The objectives of this research project are to investigate the complex and interrelated issues surrounding the safe and efficient operation of managed lanes using various operating strategies and to develop a managed lanes manual to help the Texas Department of Transportation make informed planning, design, and operational decisions when considering these facilities for its jurisdiction. This document presents three years of research in the form of a draft manual for managed lanes. It includes three chapters in draft form, which include a guide to the manual, an introduction to managed lanes, and design. This document includes research in a usable format, providing a clear, concise, and step-wise approach to planning designing, operating, and enforcing a managed lanes facility. It also refers the user to other pertinent documents which provide additional detailed information on various aspects of managed lanes.

Texas cities are currently considering the managed lane concept for major freeway projects. As a new concept of operating freeways in a flexible and possibly dynamic manner, the managed lane concept has a limited experience base, thereby creating a knowledge vacuum in emerging key areas that are critical for effective implementation. . Complicating the effort is the rapid progress of several freeway improvement projects in Texas in which TxDOT is proposing managed lane operations. The operational experience both in Texas and nationally for managed lanes is minimal, particularly for extensive freeway reconstruction projects. The managed lane projects currently in existence involve retrofits of existing freeway sections within highly fixed access, geometric, and operational configurations, and established eligibility considerations. There are few projects in operation from which to draw experiential data on the implementation of managed lane freeway sections with complex or multiple operational strategies, including variations in eligible vehicle user groups by time of day. The objectives of this project are to investigate the complex and interrelated issues surrounding the safe and efficient operation of managed lanes using various operating strategies and to develop a managed lanes manual to help the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) make informed planning, design, and operational decisions when considering these facilities for its jurisdiction. This document presents the critical research results obtained over the five years of this project.