SR 167 HOT Lanes Pilot Project
One way of maximizing HOV lane efficiency is conversion of HOV to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes. We are evaluating the feasibility and potential benefit of building or changing one or more HOV lanes to HOT lanes through a pilot project on SR 167 between Renton and Auburn. The HOT lanes on SR 167 will allow solo drivers to use the HOV lanes for a toll when there is extra space. This pilot project will be the first HOT lane in the state and will provide data to help determine if HOT lanes may be appropriate in other locations. The project is anticipated to open in early 2008.
Hours of Operation Demonstration Project
In 2003 we opened HOV lanes on freeways east of Lake Washington to all drivers between the hours of 7 pm and 5 am. The results of this change were monitored through 2005. In June 2006 we issued a final report outlining these results. A slight decrease in congestion and a minor increase in average speeds have been noticed around 7 pm. These new hours of operation will continue, and a policy formally adopting them for eastside freeways will be made soon.
Vancouver HOV lanes pilot project
An HOV lane pilot project operated on southbound I-5 from 2001 until 2005 during the morning commute in Vancouver, WA. By the end of the project, this HOV lane carried more people per lane than either of the adjacent freeway lanes. The number of bus riders and carpools increased, HOV speeds and reliability improved, and the public generally approved of the lanes.
Although the project met most of its performance goals, other circumstances resulted in a recommendation by the local Transportation Council to end the pilot. These circumstances included insufficient park-and-ride facilities, cutbacks on transit service coupled with an increase in fares, and a lack of connecting HOV lanes into Portland. Travel time through the corridor has not improved since the HOV lanes were opened to general traffic.
New HOV User Survey – September 2007
An HOV User Survey (pdf 1.5 mb) was published in September 2007. This survey provided some surprising results about who is using the HOV lanes, and how users might travel without HOV lanes. Some of the findings include:
- HOV lanes do provide an incentive to carpool or take the bus.
- HOV lane closure would also impact side streets and increase peak commuting hours.
- Saving money, convenience, and stress reduction are of equal or more importance than time savings for many users.
- Most carpools are composed of household members, and these "family-pools" behave very similarly to standard carpools.
- Ride-sharing is a choice for most users.
- Employer incentives play a large role in the decision to take shared rides.
- 70% of mid-day carpooling is for work, appointments/meetings, or shopping.
Read a summary of the findings in the new HOV User Survey.
Public opinion survey
We regularly ask drivers for their opinion about HOV lanes. A 2004 opinion survey showed that HOV lanes in the Puget Sound region are popular with both HOV and solo drivers. The poll showed that 78% of solo freeway drivers who do not usually use the HOV lanes still think the lanes are a good idea. Of this same non-user group, 66% feel that HOV lane construction should continue, and disagree with the idea of opening the HOV lanes to everyone all the time. An updated public opinion survey will be published in 2008.