Here’s a question and answer from today’s Move It! column:
Q: Other states are allowing single-passenger hybrid vehicles in HOV lanes as a means to promote fuel/emission-friendly vehicles. Has Metro discussed this subject? Are there plans to follow other states? This certainly would help our air quality and would promote more people purchasing hybrid vehicles.
— Paul Faulkner, Seabrook
A: California has approved allowing single-occupant hybrid vehicles in that state’s High Occupancy Vehicle lanes. However, because federal funds were used to build the car-pool lanes, the federal government must approve the policy change before it may go into effect. Currently federal law prohibits single-occupant vehicles from using HOV lanes (though there are some exemptions, such as for motorcycles and law enforcement vehicles).
Metropolitan Transit Authority Police Capt. Tim Kelly said his agency is researching how to accommodate some single-occupant vehicles in the Harris County HOV system. One of Metro’s goals is to convert some underutilized HOV lanes into High Occupancy Toll lanes. That would allow solo drivers to use the express lane by paying for the privilege. The Katy Freeway reconstruction project is converting the single, reversible-direction HOV lane into four HOT lanes (two each direction). The Katy HOT lanes are scheduled to open in late 2008.
Congress continues debating the six-year transportation reauthorization bill, which has been past due since October 2003. Changes to the HOV policy are among the numerous policies under consideration.
I was surprised that Lucas Wall left out a big component of the hybrids-in-HOV-lanes fad. Virginia implemented that plan and the HOV lanes in Northern Virginia are often more congested than the regular lanes:
A surge in the number of hybrid vehicles has left carpool lanes nearly as congested as the regular lanes they are intended to relieve, a Virginia transportation task force said yesterday.
A detailed study of carpool lanes on Interstate 95 found that the number of hybrids more than tripled between last spring and October. State transportation officials fear that the trend will continue as more hybrids enter the market and more commuters take advantage of an exemption allowing them to ride alone in such vehicles.
The findings reflect the sentiments of carpool-lane users, who have inundated state officials with complaints about increased delays and congestion over the past six months. Many blame hybrids.
Another issue with hybrids: states collect less in gas taxes and that can make them cranky, which could lead states to get even MORE creative at collecting revenue!
