Last month, the Long Island Business News included a special section about the Long Island Expressway, analyzing the history of the project, to the land use patterns it fostered along the corridor
The special report examines the history of the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane which turned 20 years old this year. Over the past three decades, the nearly $900 million HOV lane has helped encourage carpooling along the notoriously congested I-495 corridor by requiring cars to have at least two occupants. Additionally, it has encouraged greener vehicle options allowing access to the HOV lane for single drivers displaying a ‘Clean Pass Vehicle’ sticker.
But as we look towards the next twenty years for the HOV lane, how can this nearly billion dollar investment be better utilized?
According to 2013 NYS Department of Transportation data counts at Exit 50 (Bagatelle Road), the HOV2+ lane during the 9 restricted hours (6-10am and 3-8pm) accommodated 31 percent of all people moving along the LIE on 25 percent of lanes designated as HOV.
While this number may seem impressive, what is more heartening is that these lanes can accommodate a much greater percentage of people. While 31 percent of people using the LIE avail themselves of the HOV lanes during restricted times, only 16.6 percent of vehicles are using the HOV lane.
To better leverage the congestion-busting benefits of this existing HOV infrastructure for the next 20 years, NYSDOT should implement the following changes to mitigate congestion and raise revenue for transportation projects on Long Island:
- Change the lane designation from HOV 2+ to HOV3+: As a way to accommodate even more people in the HOV lane, and encourage even fewer automobiles in the general lanes, NYSDOT can adopt an HOV3+ regulation which would require that any automobile using the HOV lane have at least 3 occupants in the vehicle.
- Conversion to High Occupancy Tolling (HOT) lane: Converting HOV lanes to HOT lanes allows for existing carpoolers to continue to utilize HOV infrastructure for free, while also allowing single-occupancy vehicles (SOV) to pay a toll as a way to bypass congestion in general use lanes. This in turn achieves time savings for the toll-payer with improved flow for those in general use lanes. In addition, HOT lanes serve as a means of revenue generation that can be used to reinvest in the corridor’s infrastructure.
HOV2+ lanes during restricted hours serve as parkways which don’t carry trucks or commercial traffic. Perhaps start by tolling commercial plates?
Yes to HOT, no to HOV+3. What usage you have will disappear.
HOV Lanes are a bandaid on Auto Addiction not a longterm solution.
Rail is the longterm solution which can carry 5 times more than an HOV lane for less energy and be electrically powered without requiring oil.
We have to get serious about Peak Oil and Climate Change which means investing in truly Green Transit not requiring everyone to own 2 ton personal cars at
an annual cost today of $9300 – certain to increase once the fracked Shale oil production hits its peak…
if only 16% are using the HOV2 now changing to a HOV will only decrease usage. It will lead to more congestion on the non-Hov lanes. What is proposed is the “stick” method to change driver patterns. What is need is more “carrots”. i.e. Faster and more frequent LIRR service, expanded and more frequent feeder bus service to the LIRR stations, coordination of bus and LIRR schedules, more free parking at the railroad and bus stops. The tolerance of congestion by drivers is very high and we need to win them over to public transportation , not penalize them by making travel impossible.
I used to carpool into work with my son and used the HOV lane. What I have noticed is that there were more people driving hybrids (like Toyota Prisus) who were driving ALONE in the lane. Yes, they have bought a hybrid vehicle, but they should still have to HOV 2+.