Selling virtual traffic space

Consider the case, common in LA, of groups of commuters driving the HOT lane to downtown parking. The transponders in use today allow drivers to indicate this to the 'traffic' market, and make a bid for space between the HOT lane and down town parking; say traffic light priority for sale. Hence the traffic market has a future, a 10-20 minute future. The market can take these cars, and hold them at the exit ramp; motors off for a few minutes; they can have coffee.. Then at the go moment, these cars go straight through all lights, right into the garage. Synchronized traffic.

So, the ultimate right of way holder on the lanes is selling a path between points that passes through various levels of traffic management; HOT lane, light priority, protected lane (BRT), all different asphalt modalities, but using a common market mechanism for lane sales.

The goal is to build a traffic space market that has a virtuous cycle. In this market, rights holders can sell future lane space, sell it five years into the future, and fund current infrastructure; and manufacturers can plan technology advances, like wide spread lane guidance, where there is high pay off. The virtual lane market meets that goal, selling motion rights, which has a measured value independent of technology change to the roads or cars.

Looking at some numbers
The Interstate 15 between Victorville and Vegas is about 125 miles, a round trip is 250. Shaving an hour of the round trip and saving 30% in energy is about $35 per traverler. There are 10 million asphalt travelers along that route each year. So just passengers alone would get about $20 million in congestion fees. Adding up a; the sales segments on that road should generate $100 million in fees, and technology advances in lane guidance, high speed trams, and faster cargo; all that ups the price premium. I still see this as a higher return for bond investors than anything else in municipals.