OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS IN HOV FACILITY IMPLEMENTATIONS: MAKING SENSE OF IT ALL

This report analyzes data collected from selected existing freeway high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) facilities. On the basis of the experience drawn, several criteria are suggested for HOV lanes to be effective in increasing person throughput. In addition, general conclusions are drawn from existing operational data about design and enforcement issues. The many aspects of HOV facility design are not addressed in detail, nor are specific geometric guidelines established. Presented are regional objectives of urban mobility, lessons learned from the various HOV facilities, design and enforcement issues, and principal operational issues centered on systems planning, access eligibility, occupancy, marketing, and time of operations. Facility development and implementation have reached the stage at which some operational guidelines can now be developed. These guidelines, however, should be flexible to allow for local variations. Suggested thresholds are more appropriate. The interaction of "technical" criteria with "public perception" criteria dictates this flexibility. Several issues are identified as needing further analysis. For example, HOV modeling-based analytical tools do not exist, and carpooler behavior is not fully known. Other issues need stronger consideration for implementation, such as the interface between HOV facilities (interchange and end treatments) and greater attention to local feeder interface and local street HOV facilities.