Converting the HOV lanes to HOT lanes helps to better utilize available capacity in the HOV lanes by allowing additional users access by paying a fee. HOT lanes also allow for better management of traffic flow volumes in HOV lanes through the use of variable pricing. Variable pricing concepts can be used to maintain desirable minimum travel speeds within the HOV lanes during peak travel times when congestion is heaviest, a benefit to priority users of HOV lanes including vanpools, transit vehicles, and carpools.

The use of toll revenues will be explored as part of the HOT and TOT study. Possibilities include construction and operation of the HOT lanes, transit in the corridor, or other local transportation improvements.

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Equity is one of the most common public concerns with respect to HOT Lanes. The perception is that the system only provides benefit to wealthier citizens who can afford to use them. Studies of several existing and planned HOT facilities provide evidence otherwise:

Actual data on HOT lane use discredit the "Lexus Lane" critique, according to information from a study of the I-91 Express Lanes in California, excerpted below:

"Although roughly one-quarter of the motorists in the toll lanes at any given time are in the top income bracket, data demonstrate that the majority are low and middle-income motorists. The benefits of the HOT lane are enjoyed widely at all income levels."

“Lower income motorists may use the HOT lane periodically, when circumstances dictate that the reliability of their trip time is more important than under ordinary circumstances - for example, when critical appointments loom, or when day care facilities charge fees for late pick-up of children. The same applies to self-employed contractors and other small business people, who must make appointments on time or risk lost business."

HOT lanes are intended to provide another mobility choice to drivers by taking advantage of an existing resource: excess lane capacity. A citizen may choose to use or not use the lane based on his or her need for travel time reliability. This option is a choice for members of all income levels. (Discussion by WSDOT.)

One of the goals of the HOT and TOT Study is to determine possible business models, including potential funding strategies, for the operation of toll facilities in the region.

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A key part of the HOT Lane concept is that toll-paying users are allowed to use EXCESS capacity on HOV lanes. Tolls can be adjusted so that during peak travel times, tolls are set high enough to limit the number of SOV drivers willing to pay to use the HOT Lane(s). In other words, the price to enter the lane gets more expensive as the number of users in the lane goes up. This ensures that HOT lanes remain less congested than general-purpose lanes, and carpools and transit will still enjoy the benefits of HOV lanes.

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