HOV lanes cause more accidents
Discussion
I found this referenced at http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/02/292.asp
Basically, cars in HOV lanes move quicker (that's their stated purpose) but this causes a speed mismatch with the "LOV" lane. The result is accidents between the 2 lanes. Not nice.
Do we have any information on accident rates on the M4 where the buslane is? Accidents there would presumably be worse because of the greater mass of the buses.
Basically, cars in HOV lanes move quicker (that's their stated purpose) but this causes a speed mismatch with the "LOV" lane. The result is accidents between the 2 lanes. Not nice.
Do we have any information on accident rates on the M4 where the buslane is? Accidents there would presumably be worse because of the greater mass of the buses.
The Newspaper said:
Study: HOV/Carpool Lanes Cause Accidents
Texas Transportation Institute study finds that buffer-separated HOV lanes cause a 50 percent increase in injury accidents.
Dallas HOV laneA newly released Texas Transportation Institute study suggests that High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) or carpool lanes that are not separated from regular lanes with a physical barrier experience a 41-56 percent increase in injury accidents. Almost all new freeway lanes are set aside for HOV use only because federal environmental regulations strongly favor their use.
The main benefit promised by HOV lanes -- faster travel for carpoolers -- is what causes the accidents, according to the study. During peak traffic times, the speed differential between the regular lanes and HOV lanes ranges between 21 and 35 MPH. For example, a slower car trying to merge into the HOV lane may be rear-ended by faster moving HOV traffic that cannot slow down in time. Overall, the general purpose traffic lane closest to the HOV lanes experienced a 153-188 percent increase in injury accidents.
The study examined 1,150 individual crash reports from the I-35 and LBJ Freeways in Dallas, Texas from 1997-2000.
Full text of study available below in a 1.8mb PDF file.
Key Statistic:
Dallas corridors with buffer-separated concurrent flow HOV lanes did show a change in crash occurrence with an increase in injury crash rates. The IH-35E North corridor experienced a 56 percent increase in the injury crash rate. The IH-635 corridor experienced a 41 percent increase in the injury crash rate. [Page 2]
The average number of injury crashes in Lane 1 of IH-35E from 1997-2000 is 153 percent higher than the 1990-1994 average. The average number of injury crashes number in Lane 1 of IH-635 from 1997-2000 is 188 percent higher than the 1990-1994 average. An increase in the other general-purpose lanes was noted for both corridors; but, the increase is not as substantial as the Lane 1 increase. [Page 30]
Article Excerpt:
The research team identified three key findings from the crash data analysis of Dallas corridors with buffer-separated concurrent flow HOV lanes.
Texas Transportation Institute study finds that buffer-separated HOV lanes cause a 50 percent increase in injury accidents.
Dallas HOV laneA newly released Texas Transportation Institute study suggests that High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) or carpool lanes that are not separated from regular lanes with a physical barrier experience a 41-56 percent increase in injury accidents. Almost all new freeway lanes are set aside for HOV use only because federal environmental regulations strongly favor their use.
The main benefit promised by HOV lanes -- faster travel for carpoolers -- is what causes the accidents, according to the study. During peak traffic times, the speed differential between the regular lanes and HOV lanes ranges between 21 and 35 MPH. For example, a slower car trying to merge into the HOV lane may be rear-ended by faster moving HOV traffic that cannot slow down in time. Overall, the general purpose traffic lane closest to the HOV lanes experienced a 153-188 percent increase in injury accidents.
The study examined 1,150 individual crash reports from the I-35 and LBJ Freeways in Dallas, Texas from 1997-2000.
Full text of study available below in a 1.8mb PDF file.
Key Statistic:
Dallas corridors with buffer-separated concurrent flow HOV lanes did show a change in crash occurrence with an increase in injury crash rates. The IH-35E North corridor experienced a 56 percent increase in the injury crash rate. The IH-635 corridor experienced a 41 percent increase in the injury crash rate. [Page 2]
The average number of injury crashes in Lane 1 of IH-35E from 1997-2000 is 153 percent higher than the 1990-1994 average. The average number of injury crashes number in Lane 1 of IH-635 from 1997-2000 is 188 percent higher than the 1990-1994 average. An increase in the other general-purpose lanes was noted for both corridors; but, the increase is not as substantial as the Lane 1 increase. [Page 30]
Article Excerpt:
The research team identified three key findings from the crash data analysis of Dallas corridors with buffer-separated concurrent flow HOV lanes.
- Increase in injury crash rate
- Increase in injury crashes primarily focused in the HOV lane and the adjacent general-purpose lane (Lane 1).
- Increase in injury crashes is likely due to the speed differential between the HOV lane and the general-purpose lanes. The general-purpose lanes experience congestion during peak periods, while the HOV lanes usually operate at the speed limit. [Page 3]
Exactly this type of accident nearly happened to me travelling (as a passenger) down highway 101 in California.
We were sticking to 65mph and the usual numpty pulled out right in front of us, pretty much from a standstill.
Cue 4 strips of rubber (ABS? What ABS?) and a new pair of underpants needed for me. We only missed him because we skidded/pulled into the hard shoulder outside the HOV lane.
Now I think about it, I have seen this happen almost every time I have travelled in the HOV lane. It is a deathtrap.
The problem is that depending on the time of day, LOVs can use the HOV lane and the lane somewhat frequently changes from being a normal lane to an HOV lane.
However, it is simply not a problem for the M4 bus/taxi/motorcycle lane - the damn thing is a totally different colour the whole way and is enforced 24/7.
We were sticking to 65mph and the usual numpty pulled out right in front of us, pretty much from a standstill.
Cue 4 strips of rubber (ABS? What ABS?) and a new pair of underpants needed for me. We only missed him because we skidded/pulled into the hard shoulder outside the HOV lane.
Now I think about it, I have seen this happen almost every time I have travelled in the HOV lane. It is a deathtrap.
The problem is that depending on the time of day, LOVs can use the HOV lane and the lane somewhat frequently changes from being a normal lane to an HOV lane.
However, it is simply not a problem for the M4 bus/taxi/motorcycle lane - the damn thing is a totally different colour the whole way and is enforced 24/7.
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