Unlike other reserved lane projects, implementation of the express lane on Boston's Southeast Expressway was timed to coincide with the mandatory reconstruction of portions of the roadway. The reserved lane was introduced to avoid total chaos on the Expressway. The purposes of this evaluation report were (1) to measure the impacts of the project; (2) to identify measures to improve the operation of the Expressway reserved lane; and (3) to be able to make comparisons with other reserved lane projects to better understand the concept. A non-separated concurrent-flow lane was instituted on the Expressway 4 May 1977. Construction of the roadway began in June 1977 reducing capacity at that point by about 25 percent. This report describes the project development, implementation, and operations, and it addresses impacts in the following areas: travel times and alternate routes; transportation system use patterns; cost of express lane operation; violations, enforcement, and safety; and institutions and attitudes. By the end of the project the Expressway was carrying eight percent fewer people while the number of autos had declined 16 percent, reflecting a 71 percent increase in the number of carpools. Bus ridership increased by only 5 to 6 percent while ridership on rapid rail increased by 12 percent. The violation rate fell from 80 percent to 35 percent when enforcement was initiated (17 Oct. 1977). Enforcement proved to be an unpopular change. Although the project was cancelled due to public criticism and lack of public support, the author states that the project's primary goal--to alleviate the potential congestion caused by the roadway reconstruction--was achieved.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Southeast Expressway High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Evaluation Report. Service and Methods Demonstration Program


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1978


    Size :

    77 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English






    Evaluation of High-Occupancy-Vehicle Lanes on Long Island Expressway

    Ugolik, Wayne / O'Connell, Nancy / Gluck, Jerome S. et al. | Transportation Research Record | 1996


    Evaluation of High-Occupancy-Vehicle Lanes on Long Island Expressway

    Ugolik, W. / O'Connell, N. / Gluck, J. S. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1996