Operating High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes: Issues for Consideration

Abstract

A commitment to proactively manage, operate, and provide the necessary services for support of a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) system is needed so that all HOV facilities can meet intended objectives and performance expectations. This operational focus should be integrated into all phases of an HOV system, from the strategic system planning through the ongoing performance monitoring and evaluation of specific facilities. The ongoing performance monitoring and evaluation of HOV facilities should be the basis for making continuous incremental changes in the way the system is managed, the way facilities are operated, and the way that support programs and services are utilized. HOV facilities are not appropriate in every location, and conditions change over time. Changes may warrant continuous adjustments or significant revisions in HOV facility operation. Before proposal of any significant changes in operation, all relevant factors, interests, alternatives, and associated impacts should be considered and analyzed in detail. These operational alternatives should include incremental revisions to improve the performance of the HOV system or specific facilities. Significant operational changes should be considered only after all possible incremental adjustments have been made to improve the performance of the existing HOV lane. In accepting federal aid, agencies have agreed to manage, operate, and maintain HOV facilities as they were originally planned, designed, constructed, and approved. Situations in which a federal review of operational changes to HOV facilities is required, the information needed to support such a review, and the existing federal requirements against which this review will be completed are identified. A review of the important issues and possible impacts resulting from any significant operational change is needed so as to determine whether federal approval is required and to assure consistency with the federal aid program provisions of 23 U.S.C. and 49 U.S.C.