Dynamic Toll Lane: A Success Story as Part of the of Public-Private Partnerships in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

摘要

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory not incorporated of the United States, through the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority (PRHTA) and Autopistas Metropolitanas of Puerto Rico, LLC established the first highway public-private partnership (PPP) in the island under Act No. 29 of June 8, 2009, known as the Puerto Rico Public-Private Alliance Law. Under this consortium, Metropistas will be responsible to rehabilitate, conserve and improve the built freeway infrastructure and enhance safety to all road users of PR-22 and PR-5 to provide world class services, under a 40 years grant agreement. As part of this consortium, the design, construction, operation and management of a dynamic toll lane (DTL) was included to reduce traffic congestion and expedite traffic flow, while using the Metro Urbano Lane, a bus rapid transit system (BRT). The DTL has an exclusive right of way operated at 40-45 mph that was constructed in the median of the PR-22, has a length of 10.4 kms (6.4 miles) which connects the Western Region of Toa Baja with Metropolitan Area of San Juan. The DTL ensures traffic flow using a dynamic toll adjusting rates according to traffic conditions in real time, using video technology to identify crashes and communicates with drivers through electronic signs. This paper will describe the process of how the PPP was established in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, its major components, followed by a description of the DTL, how it was designed and constructed, and its impact in reducing traffic congestion and improving the overall level of service (LOS) of the PR-22 corridor. The variable fare structure associated with guaranteeing a particular level of service will also be documented as well as the lessons learned in establishing this innovative PPP in this freeway corridor of the island.