# Presentation: 927431

## High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes (HOVL) also known as carpool lanes, commuter laneor diamond lane 

- In general HOVLs are added to better manage traffic demand
- When adding lanes in the metropolitan areas HOVLs must be considered
- Statewide the Department operates about 1300 lane-miles of HOV lanes, the highest in the nation
- HOV lanes are controversial regardless where or how they are operated (either you love them and you hate them)
- The majority of the HOV lanes are 2+ with few exceptions of 3+

## EXISTING BAY AREA HOVLs

- Currently we have over 340 lane miles of HOV lanes
- About 24 lane miles are under construction, 114 lane miles are programmed and about 15 lane miles are proposed but not programmed
- In 2025 Bay Area HOVLs are expected to increase to more than 500 lane miles
- All HOV facilities are 2+ except the I-80 and 5 northern bridges (SFOBB, RSRB, Carquinez, Benicia, and Antioch)
- On January 1, 1992 the minimum occupancy requirement of two southern bridges (SM and Dumbarton Bridges) was reduced to 2+ by legislation (AB2132)

## BAY AREA HOVL 2006

## BAY AREA HOVL 2025 

## COMPARISON OF HOVL’s VS. MFL’s(YEAR 2005)

- 1) Low usage in the HOV lanes or empty lane syndrome.
- HOV guideline recommends minimum 800 vph. Most of the facilities usage are above that threshold
- 2) Cheaters or violators
- Obviously 0% violation is the ideal but maximum threshold of 10% is accepted nationwide
- 3) Consistency in the operations of HOVLs region-wide and state-wide

**WHAT CONCERNS MOTORISTS’ THE MOST ABOUT HOVL?**

## Slide 7

## Slide 8

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## Slide 10

## BUS/HOVL NO LONGER IN OPERATION

*Marin 101 NB contra flow Bus lane from north end of GGB to Richardson Bay Bridge*
*	**- opening day, September 26, 1972*
*	**- SB lanes 1 & 2 were used from 4-7 PM Monday through Friday*
*	**- created congestion and caused public opposition *
*	**- on November 14, 1986 Golden Gate Bridge Board of Directors approved resolution 86-305 concurring with decision to discontinue operation*

## Marin 101 Contra Flow lane

## Marin 101 Contra Flow lane

## Alameda 580 EB & WB HOVLs from Foothill Road in Dublin to Eden Canyon Road in Castro Valley
-	3+ HOV lanes with 12’ buffer were opened on December 5, 1977 from 6 AM Monday to 6 PM Friday
-	Motorcycles were permitted on September 21, 1982
-	Low utilization caused congestion and public outcry 
-	HOV lane signs were removed and opened to all traffic on January 7, 1983 and buffer were removed on February 7, 1983
-	Subsequently federal and state legislations were passed to disallow HOV lanes for un incorporated area of Alameda County 

- -	3+ HOV lanes with 12’ buffer were opened on December 5, 1977 from 6 AM Monday to 6 PM Friday
- -	Motorcycles were permitted on September 21, 1982
- -	Low utilization caused congestion and public outcry
- -	HOV lane signs were removed and opened to all traffic on January 7, 1983 and buffer were removed on February 7, 1983
- -	Subsequently federal and state legislations were passed to disallow HOV lanes for un incorporated area of Alameda County

## ALA 580 EB HOVL with 12’ Buffer

## CC 580 HOVL (Marine St. to Central Ave.) eastbound and westbound were opened as 3+ HOV on October 23, 1989. They were expected to be heavily utilized immediately after the closure of SFOBB from the 1989 earthquake. The minimum occupancy requirements were reduced to 2+ on August 16, 1991 due to low usage. Usage continue to be low so the HOV lanes were reverted to GP lanes on January 1, 2000
SF 280, a 3+ HOVL in southbound direction opened on October 1, 1975 from 6th St. to Army St. It was removed after the October 17, 1989 earthquake to increase capacity

- SF 280, a 3+ HOVL in southbound direction opened on October 1, 1975 from 6th St. to Army St. It was removed after the October 17, 1989 earthquake to increase capacity

- Loma Prieta Earthquake, October 17, 1989

## SF 280 SB HOVL from 6th St. to Army St.

- While the goal of all HOV lanes Statewide is the same that is to manage traffic better, however there are differences in the way we operate them
- We try to make the HOV lanes in the region as consistent as possible but other factors such as congestion level, time of congestion, usage, direct connection to other facilities, motorists’ confusion are also taken into consideration

- INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN HOVL’s IN THE REGION AND IN THE STATE

## Most freeways have long period of congestion every day 7 days per week. The HOVLs are in operation full time (24/7) to provide time saving during the congested period
Because of their full time operation (24/7), they are separated with buffer or barrier with limited access 
Most motorists’ in southern California prefer separated facilities

- Because of their full time operation (24/7), they are separated with buffer or barrier with limited access
- Most motorists’ in southern California prefer separated facilities

- HOVLs IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

## HOVL IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

- Short and define periods of congestion (generally about 3-4 hours in the morning and 3-4 hours in the evening on weekdays only)
- The HOV hours of operation are carefully selected to generally match corridor congestion periods and based on overall traffic patterns. The HOVLs revert back to GP use at other times
- Because the majority of time they are not restricted they are contiguous with continuous un-limited access
- Most motorists’ in the Bay Area prefer part time contiguous operation

**Notes:**
A typical District 4 HOV lane

## NB 405 LA

**Notes:**
LA-405 NB at La Tijera

## WB 210 LA

**Notes:**
LA-210 WB

**Notes:**
I-80 mid day

## HOT LANE IN BAY AREA

- Legislation was passed to allow Alameda and SCL Counties to open 2 HOT lanes each for a 4 years trial
- The first Bay Area managed lane or HOT lane will be in Alameda County on I-680 opening in SB direction soon and the other route chosen is I-580 also in Alameda County
- VTA also will have two managed lanes in the Santa Clara County
- At the moment HOT lane facilities will be buffer separated due to difficulties of collecting tolls with continuous access.

## Questions?