Georgia’s State Road & Tollway Authority Breaks Top 10 List in National Toll Facilities Usage Analysis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, April 18, 2016
CONTACT: Bill Cramer, Communications Director
202-659-4620 x26 | 202-210-2962 (mobile)

                                                     Georgia’s State Road & Tollway Authority Had Double-Digit Traffic Volume Increase in 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Georgia’s State Road & Tollway Authority placed fourth in a survey of 31 toll authorities across the country for the highest percentage increase in traffic volume in 2015, according to a new, national report from the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA).

The National Toll Facilities Usage Analysis, found that drivers' use of toll roads increased by 7% between 2014 and 2015 a record-breaking rate of growth that puts tolling usage on pace to double in less than 10 years.  Georgia’s State Road & Tollway Authority placed fourth on the list of 31 toll authorities surveyed across the country with a 19.6% increase in traffic volume in 2015.

"From the research, it's clear that not only are more people traveling on our roads and bridges, but that toll road use has increased significantly," said Earl J. “Buddy” Croft III, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) and President of IBTTA. "Clearly, drivers recognize the benefits of toll roads -- the ease of use provided by electronic payment methods, the trip time-saving benefits and the improved safety that a well maintained toll facility provides."

Christopher Tomlinson, Executive Director, State Road and Tollway Authority, said “When the I-85 Express Lanes first opened, it took some time for individuals to get comfortable with the new concept of Express Lanes. Today, we have thousands of customers that rely on the express lanes. The growth has been steady and continues to grow. People are finding true value in the I-85 Express Lanes.”

The IBTTA Analysis was compiled by collecting data from 31 toll-operated facilities across the country in February 2016. That information shows that drivers on the 31 toll facilities surveyed took 5 billion trips with toll transactions in 2015--an increase of 328 million or 7% from 2014 to 2015.

All but one of the 31 toll facilities in the survey reported an increase in traffic volume. About two-thirds (23 of 31) of the toll authorities said they had record-breaking years in 2015--recording the largest traffic volume in their history.

Approximately one-third (10 of 31) of the facilities in the national survey reported double-digit percentage increases. Those with the largest increases include:

• North Carolina Department of Transportation: 25%
• Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority, FL: 25%
• Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, Austin: 23.4%
• Georgia's State Road and Tollway Authority: 19.6%
• Washington State Department of Transportation: 16%
• I-15 Express Lanes, San Diego: 15%
• 495 Express Lanes, Northern VA: 15%
• Northwest Parkway, Broomfield, CO: 13%
• E-470 Public Highway Authority, Aurora, CO: 12.4%
• Central Florida Expressway Authority: 10%

"One of the more interesting findings is that while the Northeast U.S. has the longest history with toll roads, 10 toll authorities in the South and West showed the largest increase in trips and transactions," said Patrick D. Jones, Executive Director and CEO of IBTTA.

The IBTTA findings parallel recent U.S. Department of Transportation data (February 22, 2016) that showed Americans drove 3.1 trillion miles last year, making 2015 the most heavily traveled year in U.S. history. In 2014, Americans drove 3 trillion miles. This represents a 3.3% increase in traffic from 2014 to 2015.

"Despite often hearing and reading that people are driving less, the latest traffic volume numbers from the USDOT provide us with a reality check," said Croft. "It's clear that both traffic and travel are up."

For more information about the Analysis please contact Bill Cramer at [email protected] or 202-659-4620 x26; or 202-210-2962 (mobile).

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About IBTTA
The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) is the worldwide association for the owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve them. Founded in 1932, IBTTA has members in more than 22 countries on six continents. Through advocacy, thought leadership and education, members are implementing state-of-the-art, innovative user-based transportation financing solutions to address the critical infrastructure challenges of the 21st Century. For more information, visit www.ibtta.org or join us on Twitter @IBTTA or #TollRoads.