Simulated travel impacts of high-occupancy vehicle lane conversion alternatives

A simulation model of a hypothetical highway corridor was used to analyze the effects of converting an existing high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane to either a high-occupancy toll (HOT) lane or a mixed-flow lane. The simulation model, which uses a nested logit structure with a synthetic sample of individuals, estimates vehicle miles of travel (VMT), vehicle hours of travel, and person hours of travel in the corridor. The analysis suggests that mobility needs can best be served by using excess HOV lane capacity as an HOT lane facility. Capacity expansion alternatives are also analyzed, including adding mixed-flow travel lanes or converting existing lanes to HOV or HOT lanes. Alternative toll levels are also simulated. Results show that managing capacity as an HOT or HOV lane could provide superior mobility benefits with a net decrease in VMT if capacity must be expanded.