October 20, 2015
On October 19 and 20, Transurban partnered with Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) on their automated and connected vehicle technology road test on the 95 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia. The 10-mile test, conducted by VTTI, marked the first time the technology has been employed on a real-world, roadway facility in the D.C. region.
The testing occurred during the regular mid-day reversal of the 95 Express Lanes because the Lanes provided the partners with a safe, closed environment to demonstrate the technology.
The demonstration featured a Level 3 automated vehicle performing specific driving actions, such as lane changes and automated braking in response to scenarios including a simulated work zone and an approaching law enforcement vehicle. In addition, a connected vehicle equipped with both dedicated short-range communications and cellular technology responded to driving scenarios along the test roadway.
For more information on the testing, please visit: http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2015/10/101915-vtti-researchtest.html.
October 19, 2015
Alexandria, Va. – Transurban partnered with Virginia Tech Transportation Institute today on their automated- and connected-vehicle technology road test on the 95 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia. The 10-mile test, conducted by the Institute, marked the first time the technology has been employed on a real-world managed lanes facility in the D.C. region.
“As a long-term partner to Virginia, operating one of the most high tech roads in the U.S., we are proud to host today's test. Transurban sees these technologies as vital to improving safety and efficiency on the Virginia Express Lanes and roadways across the America,” said Transurban North America Group General Manager Jennifer Aument.
The test occurred when the 95 Express Lanes were closed to the traffic as part of the Lane’s regular mid-day reversal. The 95 Express Lanes provided the partners with a safe, closed environment to demonstrate the technology. Project staff viewed the testing real-time on live video cameras from Transurban’s operations center control room.
The demonstration featured a Level 3 automated vehicle performing specific driving actions such as lane changes and automated braking in response to scenarios including a simulated work zone and an approaching law enforcement vehicle. In addition, a connected vehicle equipped with both dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) and cellular technology responded to driving scenarios along the test roadway.
These technologies have potential applications in managed lanes facilitates like the 495 and 95 Express Lanes in Virginia to improve roadway efficiency and safety. Connected-vehicle communications can complement tools like dynamic pricing and lane-use management signals as facility operators look to improve the driver experience and maintain travel speeds. Similarly, the technology can improve the safety of workers and travelers during maintenance activities or repairs.
The demonstration, part of the Virginia Automated Corridors and Virginia Connected Corridors initiatives, was conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, the Virginia Department of Transportation, and Transurban, which operates the Express Lanes.
About the Express Lanes
The 495 and 95 Express Lanes operate on the Capital Beltway and I-95 to provide drivers with faster and more predictable travel options in Northern Virginia. Together the 495 and 95 Express Lanes create a region-wide network of free-flowing lanes for more than 40 miles from the Dulles Toll Road to Stafford County. Delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, the Express Lanes give drivers reliable travel choices on two of northern Virginia’s most congested roadways. For more information, please visit ExpressLanes.com.
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October 13, 2015
The 495 and 95 Express Lanes launched a new advertising campaign utilizing customer testimonials to showcase the real-life value that the Lanes are providing to customers in the region.
From working moms and dads to carpoolers, to small business owners and sluggers, the Express Lanes have been transformational in improving the quality of life for its customers.
Over the next several weeks, a new customer story will be released each week highlighting how the Express Lanes have made a big difference in their life and what they’re doing with their newfound free time.
Check out these Express Lanes love stories:
The Express Lanes cut down Luis's commute to and from D.C., giving him more time with his family.
Sarah's company uses the Express Lanes to get to and from appointments on time.
September 25, 2015
Download this fact sheet to discover how all drivers are benefitting from the Express Lanes, learn how carpoolers are taking to the new travel option, and hear what customers are saying about the Lanes.
September 25, 2015
From the Express Lanes to Capital Bikeshare, to the VRE and Fairfax Connector, the D.C. region has it all when it comes to commuting options. Download this fact sheet to see some of the costs associated with commuting in the D.C. region.
June 30, 2015
July 21, 2015
Drivers on the 495 and 95 Express Lanes might notice something new – purple lane striping added to select Express Lanes entries. The purple lane striping reinforces to drivers that they are about to enter the Express Lanes, reduces confusion by increasing the differentiation between the Express Lanes and the regular Capital Beltway and I-95 lanes and positively impacts overall driver safety.
You’ll see purple lane striping at the following entry locations:
June 8, 2015
Underscoring its commitment to innovation and sustainable transportation options, Transurban has partnered with the Virginia Department of Transportation, Department of Motor Vehicles, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and HERE, Nokia’s mapping business, on the Virginia Automated Corridors initiative. The new initiative aims to streamline the use of Virginia roads and state-of-the-art test facilities for automated-vehicle testing, certification and development.
Virginia Automated Corridors will allow testing of automated or self-driving vehicles on Virginia roads covering more than 70 miles of interstates and arterials in Northern Virginia.
Transurban will look at opportunities to utilize the 495 and 95 Express Lanes as testing facilities for automated-vehicle developers.
The technology solutions will be aimed to demonstrate possible future technologies that could improve safety, reduce congestion and improve the driving experience for customers.
Virginia Automated Corridors is still in the planning stages – no set timeline or start date has been announced.
For more information on the new initiative, please visit: https://governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/newsarticle?articleId=8526.
May 25, 2015
The 495 Express Lanes will test new technology in a pilot program with Xerox to potentially evaluate carpooling rates against the number of toll-free trips claimed as HOV-3+. The technology will be installed on May 26, 2015 and removed the second week in June 2015.
The equipment works by capturing anonymous images of vehicles traveling on the Express Lanes, automatically detecting the number of passengers and reporting the results in aggregate. Teams will then review the number of passengers in the images to determine the accuracy of the equipment's results. If the technology is accurate, teams will compare the findings to the overall reported carpooling rates on the Express Lanes.
To ensure our customers' privacy, the images will not contain license plates and all occupants' faces will be blurred. All images will be treated as strictly confidential and permanently purged at the end of the pilot program. Rules of the road on the Express Lanes will remain as normal during the pilot program.
May 20, 2015
Alexandria, Va.– Today,the 95 Express Lanes issued a reminder of critical Express Lanes travel tips as Memorial Day weekend and the summer travel season approach. Since opening approximately six months ago, the 95 Express Lanes have provided more than 550,000 customers with a faster, more predictable travel option, saving some customers more than two hours. But as drivers travel southbound on particularly heavy traffic days – when substantial delays on the regular lanes often extend to Fredericksburg – customers can experience delays as they exit to the stand-still or slow-moving regular lanes.
The 95 Express Lanes use on-road signs to alert customers of delays during peak travel times when traveling southbound through Prince William County:
“Before drivers hit the road for Memorial Day, we want to make sure they understand the tools we use to communicate about delays and their travel options in the southern section of the 95 Express Lanes,” said Nic Barr, Vice President, Operations, Transurban. “The information provided via on-road signs will help drivers make the best decision for their trip.”
In addition to watching for travel updates on advisory signage, drivers should keep the following tips in mind for the summer travel season:
About the Express Lanes
The 495 and 95 Express Lanes operate on the Capital Beltway and I-95 to provide drivers with faster and more predictable travel options in Northern Virginia. Together the 495 and 95 Express Lanes create a region-wide network of free-flowing lanes for more than 40 miles from the Dulles Toll Road to Stafford County. Delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, the Express Lanes give drivers reliable travel choices on two of northern Virginia’s most congested roadways. For more information, please visit ExpressLanes.com.
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