New Jersey I-80 and I-287 HOV Lane Case Study (FHWA-OP-00-018)

This report documents the New Jersey I-80 and I-287 high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane case study. Information is presented on planning, implementing, operating, and redesignating the HOV lanes on the two freeways. The operation of the lanes is compared with factors frequently associated with successful HOV facilities. The program guidance on HOV operations issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA in 1999, partially in response to the situation in New Jersey, is discussed. The I-80 HOV lanes were implemented in March 1994 and the I-287 lanes were opened in their entirety in January 1998. Both were concurrent flow HOV lanes, not physically separated from the adjacent general purpose lanes, and both operated with a two-person (2+) vehicle-occupancy requirement during the morning and afternoon peak-periods. Peak-hour vehicle volumes on I-80 averaged between 1,000 and 1,400 vehicles, while I-287 averaged between 330 and 650 vehicles on different sections. The case study assessment indicated that although many of the elements associated with successful HOV projects were present to some extent with the I-80 and I-287 HOV lanes, some critical factors were missing, modified, or not implemented during the course of the projects. These elements focus primarily on the changes in the policy and regulatory environment and the lack of supporting facilities, services, and programs.