A Feasibility Study for Converting HOV Lanes to Managed Lanes in Dallas, Texas

Excess capacity in high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes during peak periods can be made available to other types of vehicles, including single occupancy vehicles (SOV) for a price (toll). Such dual use lanes are typically referred to as managed lanes or high-occupancy/toll (HOT) Lanes. This study utilizes a methodology for equilibrating the demand across the managed and general-purpose lanes to examine the feasibility of such conversions under various toll price strategies. The AM and PM peak period demands are used as the basis for the study. The pricing strategies include charging SOV vehicles at $0.10/mile, $0.25/mile, or $0.50/mile while having no charge for HOVs. For each of the three SOV pricing strategies, quantitative estimates of toll revenues and emissions on managed and general purpose lanes are obtained. Comparisons are made to the current practice of not allowing SOVs in HOV lanes and all HOVs to using the lanes free of charge.