High-occupancy toll

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A high-occupancy toll (HOT) is a toll enacted on single-occupant vehicles who wish to use lanes or entire roads that are designated for the use of high-occupancy vehicles (or "HOVs", also known as carpools). Tolls are collected either by manned toll booths, automatic number plate recognition, or electronic toll collection systems. High occupancy tolls are a form of road pricing.

[edit] Variable tolls

HOT lanes require single-occupant vehicles to pay a toll that varies based on demand, called congestion pricing. The tolls change throughout the day according to real-time traffic conditions to manage the number of cars in the lanes and keep them free of congestion, even during rush hour.^[1]^[2]

The concept is an expansion of HOV lanes and an attempt to maximize their efficiency in moving vehicles. HOV lanes are designed to promote vehicle sharing and use of public transport by creating areas of lower road use as an incentive, but they have been criticized because some are underused and increase congestion. Because HOT lanes are often constructed within the existing road space, they are criticized as being an environmental tax or perk for the rich ("Lexus lanes").

[edit] Locations

Further information: List of HOT lanes in the United States

HOT lanes are most frequently found in the United States.^{[citation needed]} Active HOT lanes are only in operation in the states of California, Colorado, Minnesota, Texas, Utah, and Washington; HOT lanes are being constructed in northern Virginia and are proposed or under study in several other states. They have also been considered for the Don Valley Parkway in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and on the Sydney Harbour Bridge bus lanes in Sydney, Australia.