An evaluation of the Houston high-occupancy vehicle lane system

This report evaluates the operation of the Houston freeway high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane system through calendar year 1991. As of the end of 1991, HOV lanes were in operation on four Houston freeways: Katy Freeway (I-10); North Freeway (I-45); Northwest Freeway (US 290); and Gulf Freeway (I-45). Since 1988, an annual report has been prepared through this research project that summarizes the status and effectiveness of the HOV improvements. This research report provides an analysis of data related to: 1) operation of the HOV lanes; 2) operation of the freeway mainlanes; 3) combined HOV lane and freeway data; and 4) data relating to transit usage and operations. Both a before and after trend line analysis and a comparison to control freeways are used as a means of assessing the impacts of the HOV facilities. As of the end of 1991, 46.5 miles of barrier-separated HOV facilities were in operation. Over 60,000 daily person trips are served on the HOV lanes; this represents a 11% decrease in usage compared to 1990. Fifty-nine percent of total person trips on the HOV lanes are being served by carpools and vanpools, with the remaining 41% being served by buses.