Understanding Traveler Behavior: The Psychology Behind Managed Lane Use (UTCM 11-07-66)

Recent analysis of Katy Freeway/Managed Lane (ML) travelers and I-394 Freeway/High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lane traveler data has found that many travelers pay to use these HOT lanes and MLs when adjacent toll-free lanes are operating at nearly the same speed. Assuming that drivers are indeed cognizant of the fact that HOT and ML lanes are traveling at nearly the same speed, then it would seem that travelers are paying for the use of these lanes for reasons other than travel time savings. This project investigated the role of psychological variables, such as risk aversion, that may explain why travelers choose to pay to use these lanes when the travel time is almost equal. The results indicate that some psychological variables had significant relationships with the stated preference questions, but this was very limited.