Crash Data Identify Safety Issues for High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes in Selected Texas Corridors (0-4434-S)

In Texas, high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes have emerged as an integral part of the state's current and future transportation system to aid urban mobility. As a result, the issue of HOV lane design and the influence of design on safety has become the focus of much attention in the transportation community. The objective of this research was to develop a better understanding of the safety issues associated with HOV lanes, particularly buffer-separated concurrent flow HOV lanes. The research team increased understanding primarily through analyzing freeway corridors in Dallas, where HOV lanes have been implemented. These corridors offer a valuable opportunity to evaluate "before" and "after" crash data and determine whether there has been a change in injury crash occurrence. Based on the key findings of the crash data analysis, the research team developed guidance for future HOV lane projects.