HOV Lanes A Big Success
TORONTO, Dec. 13 /CNW/ - One year after opening, the first provincial high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes are a proven success. Carpoolers and transit users are spending less time in traffic.
"I am delighted to say that HOV lanes are an unqualified success," said Transportation Minister Cansfield. "HOV commuters are saving 14 to 17 minutes per trip compared to their travel time before HOV lanes opened. People are enjoying a faster, more reliable commute."
HOV lane users also have the added benefit of quicker commute times compared to motorists that use regular lanes on the same stretch of highway.
"Commuters are telling us they're getting to work more quickly by using HOV lanes," said Ryan Lanyon, Project Director of the Smart Commute Association. "Options like carpooling are an increasingly attractive way to avoid traffic congestion in the GTA and Hamilton."
"The Highway 404 southbound HOV lane has cut our evening commute in half," said Linda Paice, a Toronto commuter. "My husband and I use the HOV lane every day and dread the days that we have to travel home alone. It reminds us of what our commute used to be like."
Drivers are complying with HOV lane use. Misuse of the lanes is at 4.5 per cent on Highway 403 and 2.5 per cent on Highway 404 southbound. The violation rate is significantly lower than the 10 per cent threshold that other jurisdictions with HOV lanes have experienced.
The Ministry is working closely with the OPP to ensure that the lanes are a safe option for commuters and transit users. The OPP reports issuing approximately 250 tickets per month since the opening of HOV lanes.
"HOV lanes are an effective solution to ease congestion because they encourage carpooling," said York Centre MPP and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Monte Kwinter. "Less congested highways also mean safer highways and more efficient transportation for all Ontarians."
Transit users also benefit from the HOV lanes since buses of all types have access to HOV lanes. GO Transit and other transit providers that use the HOV lanes are able to provide faster, more reliable service along Highways 403 and 404.
The next anticipated HOV lane on Highway 404 from Highway 401 to Highway 7 is scheduled to open in summer 2007. An HOV lane will also be introduced on Highway 417 in Ottawa, between Palladium Drive and Highway 416. The Province is also working to build HOV lanes on other 400-series highways including the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW).
"HOV lanes provide commuters with travel choices, promote carpooling and transit use. Using carpool lanes just make sense. Drivers save time, and we all breathe a little easier," said Cansfield.
HOV lanes are a part of the McGuinty government's plan to invest in reliable and sustainable infrastructure that makes better use of Ontario highways and promotes cleaner air for healthy communities.
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Backgrounder
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HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE (HOV) LANES
Carpooling Works
HOV lanes are a time saver for carpoolers and transit users. Performance
analysis of Highway 403 and Highway 404 southbound prior to and after the
opening of the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes in December 2005 proves that
HOV lanes are providing a faster, more reliable commute for carpoolers and
transit users.
BENEFITS
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Commuters are saving time:
- Eight minute average travel time for HOV lane users on Highway 403
eastbound during the morning commute, compared to 22 minutes prior to
HOV lane opening
- Nine minute average travel time for HOV lane users on Highway 404
southbound during the morning commute, compared to 26 minutes prior
to HOV lane opening
- General traffic lane users save eight minutes on Highway 403
eastbound over their travel time prior to HOV lane opening.
- General traffic lane users save 11 minutes on Highway 404 southbound
over their travel times prior to HOV lane opening.
Carpool travel has increased on all highways with designated HOV lanes.
Results show:
- Nearly 40 per cent of commuters are now carpooling on Highway 403
eastbound in the morning peak hour compared to only 14 per cent in
2003
- 37 per cent of commuters carpool on Highway 403 westbound in the
afternoon peak hour compared to only 22 per cent in 2003
- 37 per cent of commuters carpool on Highway 404 southbound in the
morning peak compared to fewer than 16 per cent in 2004.
Carpoolers and transit users benefit from the HOV lanes and experience
quicker commutes, since:
- Average rush hour speed on HOV lanes is 100 kilometres per hour
compared to 60 kilometres per hour in general traffic lanes on
Highway 403
- Average rush hour speed is 70 kilometres per hour in the HOV lane
compared to 50 kilometres per hour in general purpose lanes on
Highway 404 southbound.
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ABOUT HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE (HOV) LANES
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HOV lanes on Highway 403 run 14 kilometres in both directions between the 407 and the 401, and run for 11 kilometres on Highway 404 southbound - from Highway 7 to 401.
HOV lanes look like regular highway lanes, except that they are marked by special signs and diamond symbols painted on the pavement. They are located in the leftmost lane and are separated from general traffic lanes by a "buffer" area - painted diagonal white lines on the pavement. Drivers enter and exit the HOV lane only at designated points.
The number of vehicles an HOV lane can carry will vary by type of highway. However, a typical HOV lane can carry 1,600 to 1,800 vehicles per peak hour. Currently, Highway 403 HOV lanes carry more than 1,000 vehicles in each lane during peak period and Highway 404 southbound carries 1,350 vehicles per peak period.
"Peak period" is the busiest travel time of the day - commonly referred to as "rush hour." The morning peak period is between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and the afternoon peak period is generally between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
HOV lanes are reserved for cars, motorcycles, minivans, taxis or limousines, and small trucks (less than 6.5 metres in length), carrying at least two people including the driver.
MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT'S INVESTMENTS IN TRANSIT:
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The McGuinty government's $1.3 billion investment in 2006-2007 ensures that Ontarians living in urban communities have access to seamless, safe, reliable and affordable public transit. Investments include $313 million in gas tax funding distributed to 104 communities for public transit improvements, with ridership expected to grow by 31 million by 2007.
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The province has also provided:
- $838 million through the Move Ontario initiative last fiscal year
(2005/06) which can be used by municipalities for key transit
infrastructure projects in the GTA, including:
- $65 million for the Mississauga Transitway, a rapid transit system
that will extend from Highway 403/407 in the west to the Renforth
Drive/Highway 427 area in the east
- $95 million for Brampton AcceleRide, a rapid transit system that
will extend from Hurontario Street/Main Street, providing a link
into the City of Mississauga and the Mississauga CityCentre
Transit Terminal
- $670 million to expand the Spadina subway into York Region.
- $25 million for GO Transit to support service along the Mississauga
Transitway.
Enhancements have also been made to GO bus and rail service in the Highway
403 corridor, including:
- GO Transit frequent bus service from McMaster University that
connects to York University using HOV lanes
- 72 trips every weekday between McMaster and York Universities,
and an additional 18 trips each weekday from McMaster
University to Square One and the Bramalea GO Transit station.
- GO Transit bus service that provides a connection to Square One,
and uses the Bus Bypass Shoulders on Highway 403.
- 4,000 new parking spaces at GO Transit stations, four new GO
stations and 31 new buses, 14 double-decker buses, and 50 new
bi-level passenger railcars are on order.
Earlier this year, the McGuinty government created the Greater Toronto
Transportation Authority (GTTA), whose mandate is to bring together the
province, municipalities and local transit agencies to create a seamless,
integrated and more convenient transportation network.
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Backgrounder
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HOV LANES BENEFIT COMMUTERS
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"Having used the HOV lanes on Highway 403 in the past, I find it a relief
from the traffic congestion during rush hour. My family has recently
moved and I no longer take the 403 and I miss using the HOV lanes. I
would really like to see HOV lanes on all major highways that are
continually congested due to the increasing traffic conditions."
A. Haq, Commuter
"From the OPP standpoint, the HOV lanes have been a tremendous success.
Our Highway Safety Division had input on the design. The lanes have
reduced congestion and improved safety. We are committed to the ongoing
enforcement of the HOV lane to ensure that drivers are using these lanes
safely and correctly."
Julian Fantino, Commissioner, Ontario Provincial Police
"The HOV lanes are a great way to make travel more convenient for
commuters. Nearly half a million commuters either drive or take public
transit across municipal boundaries in the Greater Toronto Area and
Hamilton every day. As the number of vehicles on our roads increase, HOV
lanes will become a necessary route for commuters and public transit
operators."
Rob MacIsaac, Chair, Greater Toronto Transportation Authority (GTTA)
"It is not a coincidence that some of GO's fastest growing bus services
use highways with HOV lanes. Even with the relatively short sections of
HOV lanes currently available, our buses save an average of 5-10 minutes
per trip. Our customers love passing traffic congestion. The HOV lanes
help our buses keep on schedule. Their travel times are more consistent,
since they're not stuck in congestion. We can make more efficient use of
our fleet, which is a major benefit to us. As Ontario's HOV lane network
grows, the benefits to GO - and to GO bus commuters - will increase
dramatically."
Peter Smith, GO Transit
"HOV lanes create a positive incentive for motorists. By sharing their
vehicles and using the HOV lanes drivers can reduce their vehicle
emissions, save time and money and can help reduce gridlock."
Edyta Zdancewicz, CAA South Central Ontario
"Coach companies providing commuter services, inter-city scheduled
services, charters and tours are able to reduce travel time and provide
more reliable service by using the HOV lanes. We encourage the Ministry
of Transportation to extend HOV lanes on 403 and 404 and to install them
on other major highways."
Brian Crow, President, Ontario Motor Coach Association
"The HOV lanes on Highway 403 are an important new provincial initiative
to improve transportation in Peel and the GTA. They help us get more
value out of the roadway by moving more people rather than just vehicles.
They also support Peel's Smart Commute Initiative by providing time
savings for carpoolers and making their commute a lot less stressful."
Nick Tunnacliffe, Commissioner of Planning, Peel Region
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For further information: Media Contacts: Neal Kelly, Minister's Office, (416) 327-9134; Bob Nichols, Communications Branch, (416) 327-1158; Public Inquiries: (416) 235-4686 (GTA), 1-800-268-4686 toll free, 1-866-471-8929 TTY
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