1. I-394 Express Lane Community Task Force March 18, 2004

2. Agenda • Welcome and Introductions • Preliminary Traffic Operations and Simulation Results • Discussion of Vehicle Types Allowed • Range of Toll Rates • Discussion of Hours of Operation • Community Outreach • Future Meetings – Discussion Topics

3. Model Simulation Process

4. Purpose of CORSIM Simulation Model “To assist in geometric design of HOT lanes” • Evaluating the location of entrances/exits • Evaluating the length of the weaving sections • Evaluating closure of specific entrance/exits • Evaluating the impacts to existing bottleneck areas

5. CORSIM Model Assumptions for Existing Conditions • Existing I-394 / I-94 volumes • Base case striping option • Access to / from HOV lanes is only allowed at specific locations • HOV demand assumed as a percent of total volume at each ramp

6. Access Configuration

7. Special CORSIM Coding Conventions • Separate, adjacent HOV ramps used by HOVs to access I-394 • Direct ramp-to-ramp connections are not allowed. Mainline “dummy” links used at selected locations • Access to/from HOV lanes separated by “dummy” barrier

8. Special CORSIM Coding Conventions

9. Special CORSIM Coding Conventions

10. Traffic Simulation Examples • Baseline Conditions - AM Peak Hour (7:30 – 8:30) • Baseline Conditions - PM Peak Hour (5:00 – 6:00) • HOT Lane near capacity - AM Peak Hour • HOT Lane near capacity - AM Peak Hour • Modification of access configuration (near Rev. Lane) • Closure of entrance / exit (near Plymouth Road)

11. Current Level of Congestion Color-coded schematics (PM Peak Hour) • Eastbound I-94: Tunnel to I-35W • Eastbound I-394: Penn Ave to tunnel • Eastbound I-394: Louisiana to TH 100 • Westbound I-394: Downtown to I-394 entrance • Westbound I-394: Louisiana to TH 169

12. Current Level of Congestion

13. Current Level of Congestion

14. Current Level of Congestion

15. Current Level of Congestion Simulation Eastbound • Tunnel to I-35W • Penn Ave to tunnel • Louisiana to TH 100 Westbound • Entrance from downtown • Louisiana to TH 169

16. HOV Lane at Near-Capacity Volumes Simulation assumptions • Current I-394 geometrics with base case striping option • Started with existing HOV volumes • Assumed MnPass SOVs increase volume to 1500 • Assumed that 50% of demand for general purpose lane is backfilled

17. Simulation – Input to Design Evaluating the location of entrances/exits & length of access configurations • HOT Lane near capacity - AM Peak Hour • EB I-394 exit to reversible lanes (AM Peak)

18. Simulation – Input to Design Evaluate entrance / exit closures • HOT Lane near capacity - AM Peak Hour • Closure of entrance / exit between Plymouth Road and Ridgedale Drive

19. Vehicle Types Allowed • Buses • Light Comercial Vehicles

20. Toll Rates • Range of Toll Rates • Number of Toll Rates Displayed on Signs

21. Hours of Operation – Current Hours East of Highway 100 (Reversible Section) • Eastbound: 6 AM – 1 PM • Westbound: 2 PM – Midnight • Weekends – As Needed • West of Highway 100 • Eastbound: 6 - 9 AM • Westbound: 3 - 6 PM

22. Hours of Operation – Proposed Options Entire Facility • 6 AM – Midnight (or 24 hours/day) East of Highway 100 – Options • Eastbound: 6 AM – 1 PM • Westbound: 2 PM – Midnight Weekends

23. Community Involvement

24. Future Meetings – Discussion Topics April 15, 2004 • Final Traffic Operations and Simulation Results • Final Entry/Exit Point Locations • Final Toll Rates • Preliminary Demand, Cost and Revenue Analysis • Enforcement Plan Discussion

25. Future Meetings – Discussion Topics May 20, 2004 • Final Demand, Cost and Revenue Analysis • Final Enforcement Plan Discussion • Customer Service Plan • Final Operations Plan – Hours of Operation October 2004 • Potential Meeting Prior to System Testing

26. I-394 Express Lane Community Task Force Thank You !!