Title: HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE (HOV) LANES MOVE TO THE SUBURBS, BUT WILL THE NEIGHBORS ACCEPT THEM?
Abstract:This paper discusses the use of high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in the New York/New Jersey area and the mixed feelings people have about them. The Long-Island Expressway (LIE) is the only major com...This paper discusses the use of high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in the New York/New Jersey area and the mixed feelings people have about them. The Long-Island Expressway (LIE) is the only major commercial east-west roadway connecting New York City with the outer limits of Long Island. Serving a multitude of purposes, the LIE provides for commercial, recreational and commuting trips over its 70-mile length. Starting in May 1994, HOV vehicles traveling through Nassau and Suffolk counties had the opportunity to use the first suburban HOV lane in New York State. New Jersey's 2.5 mile contra-flow bus lane, leading to the Lincoln Tunnel, has long been one of the most successful HOV lanes in the country. The I-80 HOV lanes in New Jersey run between State Route 15 in Rockaway and the I-287 Interchange in Parsippany. This 10.5-mile long concurrent flow facility reserves the inside lane for vehicles with two or more occupants. The paper analyzes peak hour traffic both before and after the installation of the LIE and I-80 HOV lanes. The results of the analysis demonstrate that HOV lanes can be an effective tool for moving people through suburban corridors. Their popularity and acceptance, however, are quickly losing ground throughout the metropolitan area. This brings in to focus the problem of defining a successful HOV lane. While users of the HOV lane and transportation professionals highlight HOV travel time savings, the vast majority of general use lane drivers point to the unutilized capacity of these extra lanes. In addition to complaints from corridor drivers, the environmental groups continue to assault the philosophy of HOV lanes, claiming that management of travel demand can eliminate the need for new roadway construction. This double-sided attack is well publicized in frequent newspaper articles pointing out the short comings of HOV lanes.Read More
Publication Year: 1998
Publication Date: 1998-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot