Express Lanes Introduce Captain Timesaver on National Superhero Day
April 28, 2016
Alexandria, Va. – The battle against the evils of traffic delays today gained a powerful ally as reports spread across Northern Virginia of a masked and caped superhero assisting travelers in need of timesaving. Citizens rescued from gridlocked lanes earlier today say the fast and predictable superhero was aided by junior sidekick resembling an E-ZPass® FlexSM.
The 
Express Lanes superhero Captain Timesaver and his E-ZPass Flex sidekick, Flexie, are part of a marketing campaign launched to tell travelers about the timesavings benefits on the 495 and 95 Express Lanes. Customers on the Lanes have saved up to two and half hours during a full southbound trip on the 95 Express Lanes. Average timesavings for the same rushhour journey range from 35 to 40 minutes.
Express Lanes customer Jennifer G. lives in Alexandria and works in Tysons Corner. She credits the Express Lanes with cutting her commute in half, giving her another 40 minutes each day. Describing how she spends her newfound time with her family, she says, ”I can have breakfast with the kids. I can take the three older ones to school.”
“Captain Timesaver is going to showcase the timesaving results that the Express Lanes provide to our more than 3 million customers in a fun, lighthearted way,” said Nic Barr, vice president of operations, Transurban. “As our brand evolves in the Northern Virginia, we continue to look at new ways to tell our story. We are excited to welcome Captain Timesaver as a brand ambassador and storyteller.”
The long-term marketing campaign will feature the superhero duo helping travelers get equipped with an E-ZPass® or E-ZPass Flex, get out of gridlock and get to the Express Lanes. Captain Timesaver and Flexie will be featured across social media and digital media channels, including the Express Lanes website and the Virginia Express Lanes Facebook page.
About the Express Lanes
The 495 and 95 Express Lanes operate on I-495/Capital Beltway and I-95 to provide drivers with faster and more predictable travel options in Northern Virginia. Together the 495 and 95 Express Lanes create a region-wide network of free-flowing lanes for nearly 40 miles from the Dulles Toll Road to Stafford County. Delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, the Express Lanes give drivers reliable travel choices on two of northern Virginia’s most congested roadways. For more information, please visit ExpressLanes.com.
###
Express Lanes Launch Free Mobile App to Improve Customer Experience
April 7, 2016
Alexandria, Va. – The Express Lanes today announced the launch of a new mobile app that offers customers convenient access to real-time Express Lanes data via mobiles devices. Using the free app, customers can access current toll prices, live traffic camera feeds, live travel advisory signs and important information on how to use the Express Lanes.
By registering for a new account using the Express Lanes app, drivers can also take care of missed tolls on the go. Drivers who create a new account will be entered for a chance to win one month of free travel on the 495 and 95 Express Lanes.
“We are committed to helping drivers enjoy smooth travel on the 495 and 95 Express Lanes,” said Nic Barr, vice president of operations, Transurban. “The Express Lanes App provides unprecedented access to real-time data that will help our customers more easily plan their travel. Today you can quickly and conveniently get toll prices, check traffic and even pay missed tolls directly from your phone.”
The app is available for download from the Google Play Store® and the Apple App Store®.
The Express Lanes App is the first mobile application designed exclusively for a toll facility in Virginia.
About the Express Lanes
The 495 and 95 Express Lanes operate on I-495/Capital Beltway and I-95 to provide drivers with faster and more predictable travel options in Northern Virginia. Together the 495 and 95 Express Lanes create a region-wide network of free-flowing lanes for nearly 40 miles from the Dulles Toll Road to Stafford County. Delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, the Express Lanes give drivers reliable travel choices on two of northern Virginia’s most congested roadways. For more information, please visit ExpressLanes.com.
###
Express Lanes Mobile App
April 7, 2016
Get the free Express Lanes app to plan your travel on the 495 and 95 Express Lanes from the convenience of your mobile device.
Use the Express Lanes mobile app to:
- Check out real-time toll prices
- View live traffic cameras before you get on the road
- Pay toll invoices or missed tolls on the go
- Find entries and exits along your preferred route
- See live advisory signs on the Lanes for any travel updates
- Learn the rules of the road to safely use the Express Lanes
- Get tips for using E-ZPass®
Download the free app today from the Apple App Store® or the Google Play Store®.
Want to learn more?
Learn how the app can help your travel.
Enforcement on the Express Lanes
January 28, 2016
Fall 2015 Express Lanes Research
December 18, 2015
In fall 2015, 1,700 D.C. area drivers were surveyed about the 495 and 95 Express Lanes. The results? No matter the commute – carpool, ride a bus, pay a toll, even drive in the regular lanes – support for the Express Lanes is strong.
Check out the research findings here.
Coles Elementary School Supports the Environment with New Recycling Program
October 30, 2015
Coles Elementary School was awarded an Express Lanes Community Grant for their school recycling program in the summer of 2015.
Coles Elementary, located in Manassas, Virginia, serves 500 students from 32 countries, speaking 19 languages. The school was recently recognized as a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School, which acknowledges the school's commitment to sustainable practices, highlighting their commitment to reducing environmental impact and costs, improving health and wellness and providing effective environmental education.
With the help of the Express Lanes Community Grant Program, Coles Elementary implemented a recycling program to help achieve their goal of becoming a trash-free school. Grant funding allowed Coles Elementary to put a recycling container in each classroom and hallway throughout the school.
The recycling program also works to educate and empower students and staff to reduce their school’s waste footprint by providing education to aid in rethinking, reducing, reusing and recycling.
Coles Elementary is committed to inspiring leadership in environmental stewardship, health and sustainability and to involve and impact the entire school community. Learn more about Coles Elementary School and their environmental initiatives.
The Express Lanes Community Grant Program supports organizations that sustain, enhance or protect the local environment and communities surrounding the Express Lanes corridor. For more information about the Grant Program, please visit: https://www.expresslanes.com/grant-program.
Delivering the 95 Express Lanes
October 30, 2015
The 95 Express Lanes project was delivered on time and on budget in December 2014. Project partners leveraged private financing to deliver more with state dollars. Check out the infographic to discover how the project supported Virginia taxpayers, jobs, commuters and businesses.
Transurban Tests Automated and Connected Vehicles on 95 Express Lanes
October 20, 2015
On October 19 and 20, Transurban partnered with Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) on their automated and connected vehicle technology road test on the 95 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia. The 10-mile test, conducted by VTTI, marked the first time the technology has been employed on a real-world, roadway facility in the D.C. region.
The testing occurred during the regular mid-day reversal of the 95 Express Lanes because the Lanes provided the partners with a safe, closed environment to demonstrate the technology.
The demonstration featured a Level 3 automated vehicle performing specific driving actions, such as lane changes and automated braking in response to scenarios including a simulated work zone and an approaching law enforcement vehicle. In addition, a connected vehicle equipped with both dedicated short-range communications and cellular technology responded to driving scenarios along the test roadway.
For more information on the testing, please visit: http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2015/10/101915-vtti-researchtest.html.
Transurban and Partners Host Region’s First Automated- and Connected-Vehicle Tests on 95 Express Lanes
October 19, 2015
Alexandria, Va. – Transurban partnered with Virginia Tech Transportation Institute today on their automated- and connected-vehicle technology road test on the 95 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia. The 10-mile test, conducted by the Institute, marked the first time the technology has been employed on a real-world managed lanes facility in the D.C. region.
“As a long-term partner to Virginia, operating one of the most high tech roads in the U.S., we are proud to host today's test. Transurban sees these technologies as vital to improving safety and efficiency on the Virginia Express Lanes and roadways across the America,” said Transurban North America Group General Manager Jennifer Aument.
The test occurred when the 95 Express Lanes were closed to the traffic as part of the Lane’s regular mid-day reversal. The 95 Express Lanes provided the partners with a safe, closed environment to demonstrate the technology. Project staff viewed the testing real-time on live video cameras from Transurban’s operations center control room.
The demonstration featured a Level 3 automated vehicle performing specific driving actions such as lane changes and automated braking in response to scenarios including a simulated work zone and an approaching law enforcement vehicle. In addition, a connected vehicle equipped with both dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) and cellular technology responded to driving scenarios along the test roadway.
These technologies have potential applications in managed lanes facilitates like the 495 and 95 Express Lanes in Virginia to improve roadway efficiency and safety. Connected-vehicle communications can complement tools like dynamic pricing and lane-use management signals as facility operators look to improve the driver experience and maintain travel speeds. Similarly, the technology can improve the safety of workers and travelers during maintenance activities or repairs.
The demonstration, part of the Virginia Automated Corridors and Virginia Connected Corridors initiatives, was conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, the Virginia Department of Transportation, and Transurban, which operates the Express Lanes.
About the Express Lanes
The 495 and 95 Express Lanes operate on the Capital Beltway and I-95 to provide drivers with faster and more predictable travel options in Northern Virginia. Together the 495 and 95 Express Lanes create a region-wide network of free-flowing lanes for more than 40 miles from the Dulles Toll Road to Stafford County. Delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, the Express Lanes give drivers reliable travel choices on two of northern Virginia’s most congested roadways. For more information, please visit ExpressLanes.com.
# # #
Love the Lanes
October 13, 2015
The 495 and 95 Express Lanes launched a new advertising campaign utilizing customer testimonials to showcase the real-life value that the Lanes are providing to customers in the region.
From working moms and dads to carpoolers, to small business owners and sluggers, the Express Lanes have been transformational in improving the quality of life for its customers.
Over the next several weeks, a new customer story will be released each week highlighting how the Express Lanes have made a big difference in their life and what they’re doing with their newfound free time.
Check out these Express Lanes love stories:
The Express Lanes cut down Luis's commute to and from D.C., giving him more time with his family.
Sarah's company uses the Express Lanes to get to and from appointments on time.