High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Welcome to the North Carolina Department of Transporation High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) website. Here you will find information about the NCDOT HOV program and learn about HOV lanes. We are committed to providing citizens with opportunities to get involved in transportation decision making. Information is available on the various HOV projects around the state. The central concept for HOV lanes is to move more people rather than more cars. Some HOV lanes carry almost half of the people carried on the entire freeway. Regular "mixed-flow" lanes are never converted to HOV lanes. Rather, HOV lanes are always added to existing facilities. Each vehicle that travels on an HOV lane must carry the minimum number of people posted at the entrance signs. Usually that means at least two people, or in some cases three people. Each child counts as an occupant but pets do not. Violators are subject to a fine. Motorcycles, even those carrying just one person, are allowed to use the HOV lanes. Some HOV lanes are in operation only during certain hours, which are posted. Outside of those hours, they may be used by all vehicles. When traffic is congested, HOV lanes can carry more people than a general-purpose lane of traffic. HOV lanes are designed to maximize the movement of people. Even when HOV lanes look less congested than general-purpose lanes, they often carry more people. As HOV lanes are begun in this state, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will re-evaluate HOV lane operating policies to achieve the most efficient use of the freeway system. These evaluations will include consideration of traffic, safety, and environmental effects and input from other agencies. Significant changes in HOV operating policies also will need the approval from the Federal Highway Administration. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) may designate one or more travel lanes as High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on streets and highways on the State Highway System. Cities may designate one or more travel lanes as HOV lanes on streets on the Municipal Street System. HOV lanes shall be reserved for vehicles with a specified number of passengers as determined by NCDOT or the city having jurisdiction over the street or highway. The HOV Lane Fine for not having the required number of people in the vehicle is up to $100 plus court costs. A HOV violation also will result in two points being assessed to the violator's driving record. Exemptions to the Rules: A successful HOV lane has the ability to move more people in fewer automobiles than a general-purpose lane. However, not all transportation projects that include additional general-purpose lanes will make successful HOV projects. There are certain characteristics-or keys to success-a project should exhibit before transportation officials consider HOV solutions. There are also other issues to consider when contemplating HOV lanes. Legend: = Essential Characteristic = Desirable Characteristic There are several issues a transportation official will consider when deciding which transportation solution will provide the most benefit in a particular corridor. These issues, along with established keys to success, will aid the transportation official in planning a successful project. Personal Benefits of HOV Lanes Why should I use HOV lanes? Faster trips HOV lanes are designed to move more people, more quickly than general-purpose highway lanes. While commuters in general-purpose lanes can get stuck in slow-moving peak-hour traffic, HOV lane users can drive at much faster speeds. Reliable travel times By using a HOV facility, your commute will take about the same amount of time each day. This reliability is particularly important for buses because their riders and schedules rely upon prompt and consistent travel times. Save money Driving in your car alone means you can expect to spend more money on gas, maintenance and repairs than if you shared the expense. On average, people who carpool, vanpool or ride transit can reduce their annual commuting costs by about $3,000. Less pollution As fewer vehicles use North Carolina's highways, the less pollution is created. Carbon monoxide from vehicle emissions is a major contributor to air pollution. Less stress Sharing a ride can make your commute more pleasant and less stressful. In addition to a faster, more reliable commute in the HOV lane, letting someone else drive gives you time to read, snooze, chat or daydream. Driving with a spouse, co-worker or friend or on a bus can make a long commute more productive. Rduced wear and tear on your vehicle Your vehicle will last longer if you drive fewer miles. Carpooling, vanpooling or riding the bus save wear and tear on your personal vehicle. HOV Facts: HOV Myths, HOV lanes cannot: HOV Lane Experience around the U.S. A large number of metropolitan areas around the U.S. and abroad apply HOV lanes to help manage traffic and provide mobility to transit and carpools. Currently, over 125 projects exist in 30 cities. Collectively, HOV lanes in America move more than 3 million commuters each day, and this number is growing as HOV lane systems are expanding. Right now, there are more than 2,500 lane-miles of operating HOV facilities-more than enough to stretch between Charlotte and Raleigh 14 times. This number is expected to double in the next 25 years. These HOV lanes have a long track record of proven benefits. HOV lanes also exhibit very high popularity with the public. HOV lanes are only effective and successful where there is recurring congestion, potential for travel time savings and demand for transit and ridesharing. Not all projects have been successful. Over the last 30 years, 6 projects (about 4% of all projects) were removed because these attributes were not evidenced. Areas close to North Carolina with current HOV lane operations include Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Memphis, Norfolk-Hampton Roads and the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. For more information about HOV lane facilities in the U.S., go to the following websites:
Transportation
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Do HOV Work asks NC DOT
