| Title | Potential Impact of Exempt Vehicles on HOV Lanes |
|---|---|
| Record ID | 67740 |
| Personal Name Creator |
Turnbull, Katherine F. |
| Personal Name Contributor |
DeCorla-Souza, Patrick; Jacobs, Angela F. |
| Corporate Creator | United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Transportation Policy Studies |
| Corporate Contributor |
United States. Federal Highway Administration; Texas A&M Transportation Institute; Battelle |
| Publisher | United States. Federal Highway Administration |
| Publication Date | 20050801 |
| Language | English |
| Abstract | This report explores the use of high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes by exempt vehicles, including Inherently Low-Emission Vehicles (ILEV), environmentally friendly vehicles, law enforcement and emergency vehicles, and designated public transportation vehicles. Potential issues and approaches for allowing these types of exempt vehicles to use HOV lanes are examined. This information could be of use to state departments of transportation and other agencies in considering possible HOV exemption policies, and in monitoring and evaluating the use of HOV lanes by exempt vehicles. As authorized in recent federal legislation, at least 10 states have approved legislation allowing ILEVs to use HOV lanes without meeting the minimum occupancy requirement. Additional legislation in five states includes hybrid vehicles in the HOV lane exemption, if allowed by federal laws or federal agency regulations. Contrary to federal law, Virginia already allows hybrid vehicles to use HOV lanes in the state. The available information examined in this report indicates that the use of HOV lanes by ILEVs is low. However, based on monitoring hybrid vehicle use of the HOV lanes in northern Virginia there is evidence that hybrids are contributing to congestion problems on some facilities. Clearly marked law enforcement and emergency services vehicles, equipped with rooftop emergency lights and sirens, and designated public transportation vehicles are allowed to use most HOV facilities. There does not appear to be any major issues with the use of HOV lanes by these types of vehicle. However, there do appear to be issues in some areas with the unauthorized use of HOV lanes by law enforcement and emergency services personnel traveling in their personal vehicles or in unmarked agency vehicles while not on duty. |
| Rosap ID | dot:42514 |
| Rosap URL | https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/42514 |
| TRT Terms | High occupancy vehicle lanes; Zero emission vehicles; Hybrid vehicles; Electric vehicles |
| Geographical Coverage |
United States |
| TRIS Online Accession No |
1721061 |
| Contract Number | DTFH61-01-C-00182 |
| Report Number | FHWA-HOP-05-058 |
| Resource type | Tech Report |
| URL | https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/67000/67700/67740/FHWA-HOP-05-058.pdf |
| Format | |
| Database | NTL Digital Repository |