Demand estimation, benefit assessment, and evaluation of on-freeway high -occupancy vehicle lanes. Research report (Final)

The report suggests a three level methodology to help identify the most promising sites for the construction of a priority lane. The three levels define a screening process through which the operating performance of the sites is evaluated. Level 1 is a qualitative evaluation, more appropriate as a planning tool, performed by professionals familiar with the potential sites and exercising their judgement. A scoring sheet has been developed to assist them. Level 2 addresses operational issues both in the short and the medium term. Some simple calculations are necessary. A limited amount of data are necessary. Level 3 is a comprehensive evaluation of the sites that passed successfully through Levels 1 and 2. For this purpose, FREQ, a computer simulation model was modified to accept the design of an added priority lane. The new version, FREQ10PL, is one part of the FREQ10 family. Two phases are recognized, the short term (day+1) and the medium term. In the medium term demand response occurs. This includes both spatial and modal shifts. Spatial shift occurs from the arterial system to the freeway priority and nonpriority lanes. Modal shift occurs from the general purpose lanes of the freeway to the priority lanes.