Evaluation of Motorist Information Requirements for Transitways (1113-1F)

Barrier separated high-occupancy vehicle lanes, or transitways, have been found to be an effective way to reduce peak period congestion by providing priority treatment for high-occupancy vehicles. The Texas Transportation Institute performed a study to identify the user information needs of this type of facility, and how those needs could best be met.|Driver expectancy requires that motorist information for a transitway be provided in the same manner used on other types of roadways. The results of this study indicate that the unique characteristics of transitways require special treatment in order to meet these motorist information needs. The study proposes guidelines for the use of traffic control devices on transitways, which include distinctive markings for transitway signs, more effective use of lane-use control signals, and specialized regulatory signing. The diamond symbol should be shown with all transitway signing, and signs should be located directly over the facility, whenever possible. The proposed guidelines for the use of traffic control devices on transitways conform to the standards for the use of traffic control devices on freeways, as contained in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.