High-occupancy vehicle lane
High - occupancy vehicle lanes (translated roadway for heavily occupied vehicles, short HOV lane, also carpool lane, so carpool lane) are car lanes in the U.S. and Canada, designed to promote carpooling. On these lanes Only vehicles with at least two occupants, sometimes at least three people, run. Alternative names for such lanes are commuter lane, diamond lane, express lane and transit lane.
History
After the 1973 oil crisis started in the U.S. considerations, how to tackle the growing energy consumption through the traffic and air pollution. It has been asserted that there would be no more traffic jams in the vehicles from 1.3 occupants. To create an incentive to form carpools, 1980s HOV lanes were introduced in the American transportation system from the beginning.
Use
The HOV lanes may only be used if a minimum number of persons in the vehicle in question. Usually requires two people (HOV -2 would be on the plate). In urban areas (eg, Los Angeles ), there are also tracks where at least 3 (HOV -3) or more persons must be in the vehicle. In New York, there are even HOV lanes 4. These traces are usually less traveled, so that progress is remarkably faster there. In addition, the speed limit on these tracks is often higher than on the other. Improper use of these traces (ie when driving with fewer inmates than be prescribed ) will result in very high amounts of fines.
In California should use the HOV lanes, more recently, individual drivers if their vehicle falls below specified emission values and fuel consumption. This is documented with a clean air stickers. There are plans by the U.S. government to establish this concept in the other States.
Another use could be in HOT lanes ( High Occupancy / Toll - lanes). The difference to the HOV lanes is that SOV ( single- occupant vehicle, individually occupied vehicles) are allowed to use the lane for a toll fee. To maintain traffic flow on these tracks, the toll will increase or decrease depending on traffic.
Execution
HOV lanes are indicated by hash marks on the road, from which the term derives diamond lane. The tracks are performed either as an extra track in addition to the other or completely separated structurally. Use only for carpools is partially (not everywhere) limited to the rush hours. During the rest of the tracks are usable by all road users ( open to all traffic).
Wherein the separated roadways, it is also possible that the use of a reverse direction. Thus, the road as needed to be set up as a single or arterial road ( eg depending on time of day ).
Success / criticism
A general assessment of the benefits of HOV lanes is not possible because of the different versions, the different regional traffic and the respective infrastructure. However, it is observed that, especially in urban areas, the incentive to escape a traffic jam, the formation of carpools is favorable. At peak times Interstate 66 can be for example used exclusively by carpooling as a link from Washington to the suburbs. HOV lanes are viewed critically, which (due to the infrastructural situation ) partially worsen due to their low usage jams.
Europe
In Europe so far, the Netherlands, Norway, Great Britain, Spain and Austria have piloted driving Together stem tracks. In Krakow (Poland ), however, the large area existing bus lanes were opened to carpools.