The Ohio Turnpike’s Record-Breaking Growth Reflected in National Toll Facilities

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission was one of 23 tolling agencies across the country registering record-breaking traffic volumes in 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.

“The Ohio Turnpike saw a 4.1 increase in traffic volume from 2014 to 2015,” said Randy Cole, Executive Director of the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission. “With 53.4 million trips in 2015, compared to 51.2 million in 2014, this serves as a historic benchmark.”

“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.”

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.

“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.”

Click here to read the National Toll Facilities Usage Analysis