Lifting HOV/HOT Lane Eligibility and Shoulder Use Restrictions for Traffic Incident Management

Author/Presenter: Yin, Yafeng; Elefteriadou, Lily; Song, Ziqi; Shirmohammadi, Nima; Carrick, Grady; Kondyli, Alexandra
Abstract:

This report presents an investigation of the possibility of lifting HOV/HOT lane eligibility and shoulder use restrictions during major incidents on general-purpose (GP) lanes. Using traffic data from FDOT Districts 4 and 6, the impacts of incidents of GP lanes on the operation of HOV/HOT lanes were investigated. A methodology was developed to determine the appropriateness of diverting the GP traffic to HOV/HOT lanes under different incident scenarios. The methodology is theoretically sound and can be easily implemented in a spreadsheet tool requiring only a few critical inputs. The project also reviewed the regulations in Florida concerning the operations of HOV/HOT lanes and concluded that there was no legal obstacle or barrier that prevents opening HOV/HOT lanes to the GP traffic. Consequently, a two-stage decision-making procedure was proposed to implement a diversion plan. The procedure takes advantage of the existing partnership between FDOT and FHP on incident management and should allow quick decision making and ensure the integrity and credibility of the diversion policy. Lastly, the feasibility of shoulder use for incident management as well as simultaneous use of other freeway management techniques such as variable speed limits and ramp metering were investigated.