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Federal Initiatives to Advance Congestion Pricing

Title 23 of the United States Code (Highways) includes a general prohibition on the imposition of tolls on Federal-aid highways. However, Title 23 and other statutes have also carved out certain exceptions to this policy. Under current federal statutes and programs, the Office of Operations supports the two following Federal initiatives to advance congestion pricing in major metropolitan areas.

• Value Pricing Pilot Program (VPPP)
• High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Facilities

In addition, the Office of Operations Congestion Pricing and Management Team is responsible for managing two congestion reduction programs that were funded in 2007 and 2008.

• Urban Partnership Agreements (UPA)
• Congestion Reduction Demonstration (CRD)

There are also several other initiatives that offer states opportunities to advance tolling and pricing to generate revenue to support highway construction activities and implement priced managed lanes on federal-aid highways. Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) removed the earlier requirement that State or local public agencies execute a tolling agreement with FHWA prior to imposing tolls. The Office of Innovative Program Delivery (OIPD) is the Office responsible for administering the tolling and pricing program under MAP-21. Please visit the OIPD web site for more information about their role in advancing congestion pricing.

Information on these different programs is provided below.

Value Pricing Pilot Program (VPPP)

While not receiving funding under MAP-21, the VPPP continues to support State and local governments to assess innovative approaches for reducing congestion in major metropolitan areas.

Section 166 HOV/HOT Lanes

The Section 166 HOV/HOT program allows toll-paying vehicles not meeting the minimum occupancy standards to use high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes.

Section 129 General Tolling Program

The Section 129 General Tolling Program allows tolling on new highways and new lanes added to existing highways, and on the reconstruction or replacement of bridges, tunnels and existing toll facilities.

Interstate System Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program (ISRRPP)

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.