7TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HIGH-OCCUPANCY VEHICLE SYSTEMS - PART 1 - PLENARY SESSIONS. OPENING EUROPE'S FIRST HIGH SPEED HOV FACILITY ON ROUTE A1 IN AMSTERDAM

Europe's first high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane on Highway A1 near Amsterdam is discussed. The operation and design of the HOV lane is explained, followed by a discussion of the incident management system and the initial experience with the HOV lane. The HOV lane was opened in October 1993. It was designed as a reversible flow lane and is eight kilometers long. At the east end of the HOV lane, a special HOV flyover lane was designed. Ingress and egress is provided only at the ends of the HOV lane; there are no entrances and exits along the lane. Breakaway gates block the entrances and exits to prevent drivers from entering the HOV lane when this is not allowed. For incident management, a Speed Observation System (S.O.S.) linked to a closed circuit video camera network is employed. Usage of the HOV lane has steadily increased and the HOV lane has had no negative influence on road safety.