HIGH-OCCUPANCY ROUTES AND TRUCK LANES. IN: HANDBOOK OF TRANSPORT SYSTEMS AND TRAFFIC CONTROL

This paper provides an overview of two types of special vehicle lanes: high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes and truck lanes. HOV facilities are most widespread in North America, with HOV lanes open to private car pools, van pools, motorcycles and public buses. In other countries, including Great Britain, the emphasis is on bus lanes, with usage often extended to taxis, emergency vehicles, cyclists and disabled drivers. HOV facilities should increase the person movement efficiency of a travel corridor, thus positively impacting congestion, bus service reliability and emissions. HOV lanes are generally expanding in the United States, although a drop in U.S. carpooling has led several states to question the effectiveness of HOV lanes. Truck lanes are very different than HOV lanes, with the term "truck lanes" being used to describe a situation where trucks are restricted to a certain lane but other traffic is permitted to use these lanes as well. Truck lanes can be justified by the improvement of traffic flow, reduced accident rates, public pressure and pavement wear. However, there are important concerns regarding the impact on safety, since restricting trucks to particular lanes can produce a continuous stream of trucks in the slow lanes, making it difficult for passenger vehicles to exit the highway. The increased differential between truck and passenger vehicle speeds that results from truck lanes is another negative safety factor. It is advisable, therefore, to assess any plan to introduce truck lanes using a cost-benefit approach. One innovative approach would be to allow trucks to use HOV lanes. This would recognize the economic benefits of efficient freight transport while using up some of the excess capacity often found in HOV lanes.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0080435955
• Corporate Authors:

  Elsevier

  Radarweg 29
  Amsterdam,   Netherlands  1043 NX
• Authors:
  • Pitfield, D
  • WATSON, R
• Publication Date: 2001

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 413-423
• Serial:
  • Publication of: Lawyers & Judges Publishing Company, Incorporated
  • Publisher: Lawyers & Judges Publishing Company, Incorporated

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Bus lanes; Carpools; Economic efficiency; Freight transportation; High occupancy vehicle lanes; Highway safety; Traffic congestion; Traffic speed; Truck lanes
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom; United States
• Subject Areas: Economics; Freight Transportation; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00923292
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0080435955
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 13 2002 12:00AM