An Evaluation of Dallas Area HOV Lanes, Year 2000

Details

• Creators:
  Skowronek, Douglas A. ; Ranft, Stephen E. ; Cothron, A. Scott
• Corporate Creators:
  Texas A&M University System. Texas Transportation Institute
• Corporate Contributors:
  Texas Department of Transportation. Research and Technology Implementation Office
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Carpools Concurrent Flow Contraflow Lanes Cost Effectiveness High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes Mobility Person Capacity Traffic Safety Traffic Violations Transportation Policy Travel Time

  More +
• Publication/ Report Number:
  TX-00/4961-2
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; California ; New Jersey ; Texas
• Corporate Publisher:
  Texas. Department of Transportation
• Abstract:
  This report is a summary of the first year of a three-year study that will permit a comprehensive assessment of the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes currently operating in the Dallas area. Since various types of HOV lanes are being phased into operation in the Dallas region, several design and operational issues have yet to be resolved, and area officials are inquiring about the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT's) policy on many of these issues. HOV lanes have shown to be very successful in Texas. However, HOV lanes have been met with skepticism in several areas across the country. HOV lanes in two corridors in New Jersey (IH-287 and IH-80) were recently closed as a result of public criticism. In the wake of the actions of New Jersey, legislation has been introduced in California to limit the implementation of new HOV lanes and to potentially remove existing HOV lanes. Inappropriate data, such as vehicle volumes, are used as a basis for removing the facilities. While some of the claims against HOV lanes may be justified, a need exists to evaluate new HOV lanes implemented in the Dallas area as well as to continue an evaluation of existing HOV lanes and report accurate and detailed operational data. While an extensive system of permanent HOV lanes is planned for the Dallas-Fort Worth urbanized area, the TxDOT and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) have pursued and continue to pursue short-term or interim HOV lane projects that would enhance public transportation and overall mobility. There are currently 35.4 miles of interim HOV lanes operational in the Dallas area, including a barrier-separated contraflow lane on East R.L. Thornton Freeway (IH-30) and buffer-separated concurrent flow HOV lanes on Stemmons Freeway (IH-35E North) and Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway (IH-635). The objective of this project is to investigate the operational effectiveness of the Dallas area HOV lanes. Issues such as person movement, carpool formation, travel time savings, violation rates, safety, and project cost effectiveness are addressed. By understanding the operational performance and issues of both concurrent flow (buffer-separated) HOV lanes and contraflow (barrier-separated) HOV lanes, recommendations can be made on suggested HOV lane policies, including the type of permanent HOV lanes to be implemented in the Dallas area.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  7-4961
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b5509bea0b1948a3f2c4802f115c68f822b6a193516e3ca807efedaba45e2ca1936ca2727583c36b28a597bfd543ef3415a14345a7d822a0fb19fe6cdde61b4f
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/88700/dot_88700_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.20 MB ]