Accommodating Traffic Increases/Managed Lanes
Population growth and traffic congestion are increasing in the Austin metropolitan area and southwest sector of the CAMPO study area. Original population and employment projections done by CAMPO for the year 2020 indicate an estimated population of 64,000 and employment of 25,000 in this area.
When CAMPO adopted the 2030 transportation plan in June 2004, the Austin metropolitan population estimates were revised to 2.75 million and employment to 1,467,000 for the three county region consisting of Travis, Williamson and Hays counties. Table 1 below shows the increase in traffic volumes on South Loop 1 at Town Lake since 1995. In 2006 the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) undertook a detailed study to add managed lanes on Mopac/Loop1 to improve speed and operations in one of the most congested travel corridor in the Austin area. For more information visit the website at http://www.mopac1.org.
Table 1. Traffic Volumes on S. Loop 1 at Town Lake
| Year | Traffic Volume |
| 1995 | 130,000 |
| 1996 | 126,000 |
| 1997 | 135,000 |
| 1998 | 138,000 |
| 1999 | 144,000 |
| 2000 | 146,000 |
| 2007 | 192,000* |
| 2015 | 221,600* |
| 2025 | 256,300* |
* Projected volumes
The increase in traffic volume has decreased the level of service on South Loop 1 and has resulted in recurring congestion during peak travel periods. Travel times on South Loop 1 have increased and speeds in the AM peak direction range from 17 to 25 mph. In order to maintain schedules, bus transit services in the corridor must occasionally bypass South Loop 1 in favor of arterial streets such as South Lamar.
Short-Range Managed Lane Planning Efforts
The Managed Lane Working Group (previously known as High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Task Force) is a multi-agency group involved in planning a coordinated regional Managed Lane system to improve mobility. This working group has reviewed several corridors for potential implementation of near-term managed lane facilities that could be operational in the next five to ten years. Several corridors were evaluated as potential candidates for interim managed lane (HOV) treatments.
Other links:
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/local_information/austin_district/mopac_1/facts_fall06.pdf http://www.campotexas.org/programs_plan.php
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
Specific Route Information | (512) 474-1200