HOV LANES: ISSUES AND OPTIONS FOR ENFORCEMENT

Key findings of this research are as follows: No technology exists that can fully automate high occupancy vehicle (HOV) occupancy enforcement, because no technology exists that can see through metal vehicles and pick out the people inside; Of the factors that limit the ability to see inside a vehicle, the most pernicious is window tinting, because of the threat it poses to law enforcement (opaque auto glass tinting can hide not only a weapon, but also the person reaching for it); Adequate enforcement requires extensive space in the median and in many instances it is not feasible to provide this space; and Current statutes that require officers to have vehicles to pull over to the right are inappropriate for HOV enforcement. Key recommendations are as follows: Where feasible to do so, highway design should allow for sheltered observation areas and wide, long citation areas, with adequate entrances and exits, in the median next to the HOV lane; An optics expert should review Arizona's law regulating auto glass tinting, to see if current restrictions allow for adequate video imaging; Prominently post the fine for HOV violations on roadside signs; Randomly, but periodically, utilize special enforcement followed by routine enforcement; Evaluate increased penalties for HOV violations; Have engineers meet with highway patrol officers before design concepts are finalized; Consider implementing high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on HOV lanes by charging full price for single occupancy vehicles (SOVs), half price for HOVs with two or more occupants and nothing for HOVs with three or more occupants; Monitor new technology as it emerges and reconsider implementing it if it appears feasible and warranted; Evaluate establishing enforcement areas near HOV entry and exit ramps; and Consider installing a "hot line" for citizens to call to report HOV violators.

• Record URL:
  http://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/cdm/singleitem/collection/statepubs/id/1248/rec/1
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/39759
• Corporate Authors:

  Marketing Intelligence, LLC

  1636 N Swan road, Suite 102
  Tucson, AZ  United States  85712

  Arizona Department of Transportation

  206 South 17th Avenue
  Phoenix, AZ  United States  85007

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Markkula, L
• Publication Date: 2004-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: 98 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Fines (Penalties); High occupancy toll lanes; High occupancy vehicle lanes; Highway design; Law enforcement; Laws; Medians; Recommendations; Technological innovations; Tinted glass
• Uncontrolled Terms: Enforcement areas
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Planning and Forecasting; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00987648
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-AZ-04-552,, Final Report
• Contract Numbers: SPR-PL-1-(61)552
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 8 2005 12:00AM