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HOV spells commuting in the fast lane
But highway fad paved with controversy
December 24, 1996
Web posted at: 3:45 p.m. ESTIn this story:
From Correspondent Kyoko Altman
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- It's not just politics that creates gridlock in the nation's capital. The roadways here are among the most crowded in America.
To cut congestion, Washington's northern neighbor, Maryland, just joined 18 states that use high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes -- reserved for cars with at least two passengers -- to curb traffic and pollution.
"The best hope is that there is a time reduction for individuals who use the lane, and that time reduction will serve as an incentive for individuals to carpool more than they are currently doing," says Parker Williams, Maryland highway administrator.
Not everyone likes HOV lanes
But solo commuters who end up stuck in regular lanes watching car poolers whiz by have complained vociferously.
"They're really not fair for the majority of people, at least in the area where I live," says a Maryland motorist. "We all work in different areas and different hours."
That kind of griping led states like Virginia to loosen some of its HOV rules, dropping from three passengers to two on Route 66 for example. Critics, including environmentalists, charge such changes defeat the whole purpose of HOV lanes.
"In the long run, they increase the amount of pollution because they spur a lot more driving and a lot more sprawl," says Michael Replogle of the Environmental Defense Fund.
Still, state governments are planning more than 100 new HOV projects in the near future. Why so many? In part because it's one of the few ways states can win federal permission -- and funding -- for extra highways.
A priority with federal government
"They're popular because there's federal money for it," says Hank Dittmar, executive director of the non-profit Surface Transportation Policy Project, a coalition of 175 groups dedicated to energy and environmental conservation. "Priority is given to HOV."
Supporters of HOV point to what they consider successful projects like Interstate 95 in Virginia, one of the first HOV roads in the country. The highway leads to the Pentagon, where more than 20,000 employees work similar hours at the same location.
"I haven't even subjected myself to regular lanes," says one happy HOV commuter. "That's cruel and unusual punishment."
Commuters sometimes try to get around HOV rules by putting mannequins and even pets with hats in their front seat. It's a desperate gamble. In some states, drivers who get caught face fines of up to $500.
Related sites:
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- Re-Thinking HOV - High Occupancy Vehicle Facilities and the Public Interest
- High Occupancy Vehicle Project Case Studies - Historical Trends and Project Experiences
- Planned High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes are Criticized by Environmentalists
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