THE HOV EXPERIENCE: ROLE OF HOV FACILITIES

High-occupancy vehicle (HOV) facilities are currently found in more than 25 urban areas in the United States and Canada. The number of route-miles of HOV facilities on freeways has doubled every 5 to 7 years since 1980, and, on the basis of current commitments, should continue to do so throughout this decade. Similarly, HOV lanes are appearing on a number of urban arterials, especially in Canada, Europe, and Asia. This article looks at the reasons for considering use of HOV lanes, the supporting facility needs of an HOV system, the relationship of HOV treatments with other mobility management measures, and the reasons why some HOV projects have not survived.