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This research project is the Initial Collaborative Project for the University of Central Florida, University of Massachusetts - Amherst (UMass) and University of Puerto Rico as proposed to the USDOT in the SAFER-SIM proposal under Theme Areas: 2. Traffic Operations and Safety Evaluations.

The increased demand for toll and managed lanes on freeway facilities is resulting from a shortage in revenue to meet transportation needs. The increased prevalence of electronic tolling has translated into changes in toll plaza design and driver behavior models at toll plazas. Driver confusion at the toll plaza, difficult merging scenarios, and the resulting unexpected behaviors of drivers have actually increased certain crash patterns at toll plazas in some electronic tolling facilities. At the same time, an increasing number of state DOTs are assessing the need to add High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes on their facilities without compromising their existing capacities.

This project aims at using driving and traffic simulation to study the specific conditions and to identify measures to improve safety, signage and operation at toll facilities.