Author(s):
D.A. Skowronek, S.E. Ranft, J.D. Slack
Publication Date
November 1999
Abstract
Limited capital investment for major transportation improvements and growth in metropolitan areas require the most
efficient use of the existing transportation system. Provisions of the Clean Air Act Amendments and TEA-21 further
intensify these concerns. One means to improve mobility is high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. HOV lanes have been
shown to be very successful in Texas, however, they have been met with scepticism in several areas across the country.
HOV lanes in two corridors in New Jersey (1-287 and 1-80) were recently closed as a result of public criticism. In the wake
of the actions of New Jersey, legislation has been introduced in California to limit the implementation of new HOV lanes
and to potentially remove existing HOV lanes. Inappropriate data, such as vehicle volumes, is used as a basis for removing
the facilities. The states of Colorado, Virginia, and Georgia have also proposed legislation to either eliminate HOV lanes
or convert them to high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes. While some of the claims against HOV lanes may be justified, a need
exists to evaluate new HOV lanes implemented in the Dallas area as well as to continue an evaluation of existing HOV
lanes.
While an extensive system of permanent HOV lanes is planned for the Dallas-Fort Worth urbanized area, the Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) have pursued and continue to pursue
short-term or interim HOV lane projects that would enhance public transportation and overall mobility. There are
currently 35.4 miles of interim HOV lanes operational in the Dallas area, including a barrier-separated contraflow lane
on IH-30 (East R.L. Thornton Freeway) and buffer-separated concurrent flow HOV lanes on IH-35E North (Stemmons
Freeway) and IH-635 (Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway). There have been several highly successful concurrent flow HOV
lane projects and several that have not been as successful across the country. The objective of this research is to
investigate the operational effectiveness of the Dallas area HOV lanes. Issues such as person movement, carpool
formation, travel time savings, violation rates, safety, and project cost effectiveness are addressed. By understanding the
operational performance and issues of both concurrent flow (buffer-separated) and contraflow (barrier-separated) HOV
lanes, recommendations can be made on suggested HOV lane policies to be implemented in the Dallas area.
Report Number:
3942-7
Keywords:
Carpools, Concurrent Flow Lanes, Contraflow Lanes, High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes, HOV Facilities
Link(s):
Document/Product
http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/3942-7.pdf
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