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Road Pricing: Tolling & Pricing Programs

Federal Programs | Applying for Tolling Authority | Tolling and Pricing Team | Tolling and Pricing FAQs

Federal Programs

This site is intended to provide information about the tolling and pricing programs and provisions available under Title 23 of the United States Code (23 U.S.C.), following enactment of Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), and to invite Expressions of Interest from States and/or other public entities. This site contains information on "getting started" by submitting an Expression of Interest for the available tolling authority. An agency can download an Expression of Interest template through this web page, complete it, and re-submit it electronically via e-mail. This site also provides key contacts and links to resources related to tolling and pricing that can be used to support an initiative. Through this site, agencies can understand the tolling and pricing opportunities that now exist and can communicate with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in order to obtain assistance in effectively meeting their desired goal(s) for applying for tolling and pricing authority or funding.

Federal Highway Tolling Programs FACT SHEET

There are three programs or provisions within the Federal-aid Highway Program that support congestion pricing:

Value Pricing Pilot Program

This program, initially authorized in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) in 1991 as the Congestion Pricing Pilot Program, encourages implementation and evaluation of projects encompassing a variety of strategies to manage congestion on highways, including both tolling of highway facilities and other pricing strategies not involving tolls. This is the only program that provides funding.

Federal Register Notice: Solicitation for Participation in the Value Pricing Pilot Program, Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011

Learn more about this program by visiting the FHWA Office of Operations website

 

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Facilities

This program allows states to charge tolls to vehicles that do not meet the established occupancy requirements to use an HOV lane if the state establishes a program that addresses the selection of vehicles allowed in such lanes and procedures for enforcing the restrictions.

Learn more about this program by visiting the Freeway Management Program website

Express Lanes Demonstration Program

This program permits tolling on up to 15 selected demonstration projects to manage congestion, reduce emissions in a non-attainment area, or finance new and existing Interstate lanes for the purposes of reducing congestion.

Learn more about this program by visiting the FHWA Office of Operations website

 

In addition, there are three programs or provisions within the Federal-aid Highway Program that support tolling for the purpose of highway financing:

Interstate System Construction Toll Pilot Program

This program authorizes up to three facilities on the Interstate System to establish tolls for the purpose of financing the construction of new Interstate highways.

Learn more about this program

Interstate System Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program

This program allows up to three existing Interstate facilities (highway, bridge, or tunnel) to be tolled to fund needed reconstruction or rehabilitation on Interstate corridors that could not otherwise be adequately maintained or functionally improved without the collection of tolls.

Learn more about this program

Title 23 United States Code Section 129 Tolling Agreements

Section 129 allows tolling of non-Interstate highways as well as Interstate bridges and tunnels. There is no limit to the number of agreements that may be executed.

Learn more about this program

 

In addition, section 120(j) of title 23, United States Code (U.S.C.), as amended by section 1905 of SAFETEA-LU, provides for toll credits that can be used towards the non-Federal share of Federally funded projects.

Instructions for submitting an Expression of Interest and an Expression of Interest template are available through this website; complete it and submit it electronically via e-mail. Through this site, agencies can understand the tolling and pricing opportunities available under Federal law and can communicate with FHWA to assist them in effectively meeting their desired goal(s) for applying for tolling and pricing authority or funding. FHWA will work with an interested agency through the Tolling and Pricing Team. FHWA Guidance on Section 129 Toll Agreements is also available.

Jennifer Ahlin
FHWA Office of Innovative Program Delivery
Federal Tolling and Pricing Program Manager
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-493-0334
Jennifer.Ahlin@dot.gov

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Applying for Tolling Authority

Federal Register Notice

Tolling and Pricing Opportunities under the Federal-aid Highway Program: This notice provides summary information on all the various non-grant tolling and pricing opportunities available in SAFETEA-LU.

Instructions for Submitting an Expression
of Interest

The Expression of Interest is a document - in letter, memo, or report format - that provides the rationale for funding or tolling authority and information about the intended project. A complete Expression of Interest, based upon the information items listed below, will enable the Tolling and Pricing Team to provide the best assistance and identify the range of options possible to meet intended goals and timeframes.

The information items requested for a complete Expression of Interest are as follows:

  1. A description of the agency or requesting authority or authorities that is/are requesting this tolling authority where applicable
  2. The name, title, email, and phone number of the person who will act as the point of contact on behalf of the requesting authority or authorities
  3. A statement concerning which action they are seeking:
    1. Funding and/or tolling authority via the Value Pricing Pilot Program to support either pre-project study activities or implementation activities as permitted; or
    2. Only authority to toll either existing or planned facilities.
  4. A description of the subject facility or facilities proposed to be tolled
  5. Whether the subject facility is an Interstate or non-Interstate facility
  6. Whether construction is involved and, if so, whether this is new construction, expansion, rehabilitation, reconstruction, or other
  7. Whether an HOV lane or lanes currently exist on the facility
  8. A timetable to enact tolling (or modify tolling) on the subject facility
  9. Any expressions or declarations of support from public officials or the public (e.g., any public meetings held?). If no public meetings or expressions of support are available, please indicate if there are project plans for ensuring adequate public involvement and support prior to implementation
  10. A plan for implementing tolls on the facility, where applicable. Where known, the range of anticipated tolls and the strategies to vary toll rates (i.e., the formulae for variable pricing)
  11. The reasons for implementing tolls, such as financing construction, reducing congestion, or improving air quality
  12. A description of the public agency or agencies that will be responsible for operating, maintaining, and enforcing the tolling program
  13. A description of how, if at all, any private entities are involved either in the up-front costs to enact tolling, or the cost sharing or debt retirement associated with revenues

Expression of Interest Template

For your convenience, a template (DOC) has been developed which you are encouraged to use by downloading it, filling it out, and returning it as an attachment to your submittal to the Tolling and Pricing Team or via U.S. mail (address included within the template).

An HTML version is available for viewing the template only.

Tolling and Pricing Team

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Innovative Program Delivery is responsible for coordinating all tolling and pricing programs that now exist under the Federal-aid Highway Program. The many programs can be potentially confusing because of their number and range of specific purposes. In an effort to minimize this potential confusion, FHWA's Office of Innovative Program Delivery has formed a working group known as the "Tolling and Pricing Team."

The key role for the Tolling and Pricing Team is to assist public authorities by directing them to the most appropriate program (or programs) among the many options available. Members of the Tolling and Pricing Team represent the FHWA Offices of Innovative Program Delivery, Operations, and Infrastructure - the primary offices responsible for administering each of the tolling and pricing programs - and other stakeholder offices within FHWA and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Members participate on the Tolling and Pricing Team because of their direct program responsibilities or because they are interested stakeholders for tolling and pricing programs within the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Tolling and Pricing Team has four purposes:

  1. Coordinate all tolling and pricing activity within FHWA to facilitate the implementation and advancement of tolling and pricing projects and standards in the United States
  2. Receive and review all Expressions of Interest submitted to the FHWA from a public authority
  3. Direct public authorities or partnerships designated by the State to the tolling and pricing program (or programs) that can enable them to accomplish the goals set forth in their Expression of Interest
  4. Support each of the FHWA Program Offices that have responsibility for a tolling and pricing program, in advancing formal proposals to gain approval to toll or price motor vehicles

The Tolling and Pricing Team reviews all Expressions of Interest for the various tolling opportunities contained in current law but does not have responsibility to approve or disapprove specific projects. That responsibility resides with the Office of the Secretary but may be delegated to FHWA or its program offices.

The Tolling and Pricing Team - Key Members

Topic Team Member Phone Number
Federal Tolling and Pricing Programs Jennifer Ahlin 202-493-0334
Express Lanes Demonstration Program Wayne Berman 202-366-4069
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Facilities Jessie Yung
Greg Jones		 202-366-4672
404-562-3906
Interstate System Construction Toll Pilot Program
Interstate System Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program
Title 23 United States Code Section 129 Toll Agreements		 Greg Wolf 202-366-4655
Value Pricing Pilot Program Allen Greenberg
Angela Jacobs		 202-366-2425
202-366-0076
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