High-occupancy toll lane

[5] The initial system consisted of $180 permits valid for three months, though HOT lanes with electronic tolling infrastructure were announced as part of forthcoming expansions to Ontario Highway 427.

[8][9][10][11][12] The Los Angeles Metro ExpressLanes HOT system requires vehicles to be fitted with manually "switchable" transponders where the driver selects the number of occupants, based on which the appropriate fee is charged.

[16] Implementation of these systems can be prohibitively expensive, due to the initial construction required—particularly with regard to providing access to and from the express toll lanes at interchanges.

[17][18] Because HOT lanes and ETLs are often constructed within the existing road space, they are criticized as being an environmental tax or "Lexus lanes" solely beneficial to higher-income individuals, since one toll rate is charged regardless of socioeconomic status and the working poor thus suffer greater financial burden, although some states offer tax deductions or rebates to low income individuals for toll payments.

[20] However, HOT lanes have demonstrated no guarantees in eliminating traffic congestion, bringing into question their fundamental usefulness aside from raising funds for private institutions and local governments.

FasTrak high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes along Interstate 15 southbound in Escondido, California , displaying the variable fee.
An in-vehicle, switchable FasTrak Flex transponder fitted to the dashboard of vehicles for use in Greater Los Angeles , CA , US
Afternoon rush hour in Miami, where tolled express lanes have become congested and "closed"
Reversible HOT lanes along Interstate 95 in Northern Virginia