Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) SR 237 Express Lanes
Offer single-occupancy vehicles a choice to pay a toll and use the Express Lane.
Quick Facts
Provided planning, preliminary design and environmental services to the Santa Clara VTA for completing the Project Initiation Document and Project Approval/Environmental Document (PA/ED)
The Silicon Valley Express Lanes Program has been under development since 2003
The SR 237 Express Lanes Phase 2 Project extends the existing limited-access express lanes westerly to the vicinity of the Mathilda Avenue Interchange in Sunnyvale and the project may extend westerly as operationally feasible past US 101
Results
The Express Lanes convert the existing continuous access HOV Lanes into Express Lanes that offer single occupancy vehicles a choice to pay a toll and use the available Express Lane capacity to save time
Our Work
Performed extensive traffic operational analysis focusing on the freeway mainline and ramps under weekday a.m. and p.m. peak period conditions
Developed a micro-simulation model of the freeway corridor using Vissim modeling software
Tested 2015 and 2035 future year conditions to meet the PA/ED requirements
Developed demand forecasts for future years using VTA’s countywide travel demand model
Worked closely with VTA staff and other consulting team staff to modify the travel demand model and generate the necessary forecasts
Operational analyses and simulation modeling work included evaluating limited access versus continuous access design alternatives and evaluating the impacts of alternative express lane access/egress locations