We know that as days are moving forward from evolution, we have been technologically upgraded and have started using different means of easy life one of which is transport facility on rodes. As days pass by, more people are buying cars, which makes the usage of Hov lanes more popular and widely promoted.
What is an HOV lane?
We often don’t come across a line that is restricted for a particular type of vehicle usage. Still, there are HOV lanes that are restricted to encourage carpooling that can accommodate more passengers at one time. An HOV lane is a restricted traffic lane only reserved exclusively for the vehicle with one driver and more than one passenger.
These include carpools, vans, pools and public buses. They are usually on the inner (left ) side. In addition, HOV lanes help transport more people on the highways.
Two types of the HOV lanes
- Freeway – this is the fast HOV lane. Here the vehicles are interchanged between long distances.
- Urban corridor – this is a little slower moving HOV lane.
Importance of an HOV lane
The moto of building this lane in increasing transport to work here is to reduce pollution when one person tries a single car for his use. Vehicles like carpool and Vanpool encourage ridesharing; this gives higher occupancy at the single time wishes faster when using single cars.
So drivers can pick up people in the middle of the street and then drive to the HOV lane to skip traffic. This is a path of transport introduced in many Western countries like the Europe, United States of America, Canada and more.
- It helps in moving faster. It avoids the rush driving and helps in the faster movement of vehicles
- It avoids congestion
- It helps in managing traffic
- It also Promotes ridesharing
- It prevents rush driving hence the risk in minimum
- Improve air quality system
- It conserves fuel which helps in preventing air pollution.
How to locate an HOV symbol on streets
Now it is clear to us about what is an HOV lane, so let’s move forward to finding this lane in the streets.
The HOV symbol in the streets is a diamond–shaped symbol with a white line. You can mostly find the symbol on the left side of the road, mostly separated by dividers for a double white line.
There is a yellow line at the extreme left corner of the road, which indicates that it is a two–way road. As it is a restricted area for a particular type of vehicle, and it is me the entry and exit permit is in the same area.
This type of lane encourages us to skip the rush hours of the office for school going people. As already being introduced and promoted in many Western countries, this should start being an option in other countries to increase the road density and accommodate express lanes.
- Vehicles that have permission to enter HOV lanes
- Police vans and emergency vehicles are often allowed to enter the lanes.
- Single occupant green vehicles, battery vehicles, or vehicles that run on solar power.
- Private ta and taxes with a minimum of two to three people riding.
- Buses that have more passengers
- Carpool or share rides with two or more passengers.
So now it must be clear to you what is an HOV lane and its significance importance implied. We encourage you to opt for ridesharing, think about the environment, and reach your destination at the fastest time possible.