NORTHERN VIRGINIA HOV LANES:

ATTITUDE AND USAGE STUDY

 

 

SPONSOR:

 

Virginia Department of Transportation

          Contact:  Contact:  Joan Morris, Office of Public Affairs – Northern Virginia

 

Department of Rail and Public Transportation (drpt@state.va.gov)

          Contact:  Charlene (Gus) Robey, TDM and Marketing Section

 

RESEARCH VENDOR:

 

Siddall, Matus & Coughter, Richmond, VA.  Conducted:  2003

Contact:  Karen Smith, Ph.D., at Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc.         

Telephone: 804-358-8981

Email: KSmith@SIRresearch.com

 

OVERALL PURPOSE:

 

This research was designed to help increase usage of HOV lines in Northern Virginia.

 

Objectives of Research:

 

Ž    Assess awareness of HOV lanes

Ž    Determine level of support and usage of HOV lanes

Ž    Assess perceptions and imagery of HOV lanes

Ž    Assess perceived benefits and importance of benefits of the lanes

Ž    Better understand HOV usage by comparing users to commuters who could use the HOV lanes but do not

Ž    Assess perceptions of lane enforcement

Ž    Identify barriers to usage and ways that these barriers can be overcome

 

METHODOLOGY:

 

Mode of Data Collection

Telephone survey

Completed Interviews

1,817

Survey Population

Commuters, aged 18-65, who travel on the Dulles Toll Road, I-95, I-395 or I-66 and commute at least 3 days a week during morning “rush” hour traffic.  677 used the HOV lanes and 1,140 did not

Survey Instrument

Questionnaire administered by telephone interviewers

 

SELECTED KEY FINDINGS:

 

Prevalence of Usage of HOV Lanes

 

Ž    Commuters on I-95 and I-395 are more likely than commuters on DTR and I-66 to select transportation alternatives that allow them to utilize the HOV lanes.  In particular, they are more likely to commute in pre-arranged carpools with two or more others, to commute in informal carpools (slugs) and to commute in vanpools.  For example, 6% of commuters on I-95 and 5% on I-395 regularly travel by vanpool compared to less than 1% on DTR and only 1% on I-66.  In addition, these HOV users on I-395 and I-95 are more likely to work for the federal government and are more likely to work for employers that support HOV through incentive programs.  Additionally, they are often commuting farther distances than non-HOV users and are realizing greater timesavings by using the HOV lanes.

Ž    Commuters who do not use the HOV lanes are aware of the lanes. Approximately 98% of all commuters who do not use the HOV lanes are aware of the lanes. However, not all non-HOV users are familiar with the lanes.  Only about 75% of the non-users said that they are familiar with the HOV lanes in terms of knowing the hours of operation and the location of the exits and entrances. 

 

Reasons for Using the HOV Lanes

 

Ž    Commuters choose to HOV because it saves them time.  When asked directly, in an open-ended question, why they use the HOV lanes, nearly 7 out of every 10 HOV users said that they HOV because it saves them time.  No other answer was mentioned with this degree of frequency.  Commuters also indicated that avoiding traffic congestion (11%) and heavy traffic (7%) and not having to drive (5%) were important reasons for using the HOV lanes.  Together, these reasons were more important than cost savings (11%).

Ž    Commuters who do not use the HOV lanes have slightly different perceptions of the lanes – particularly in terms of benefits – than do those who use the HOV lanes.  Those who do not use the HOV lanes are less likely to believe that HOV lanes get commuters to their destinations faster, that they lower transportation costs, that they move more people in fewer vehicles, that they improve air quality, that they relieve traffic congestion, and that the HOV lanes are safer.

Ž    Commuters who do not use the HOV lanes are aware of the lanes. Approximately 98% of all commuters who do not use the HOV lanes are aware of the lanes. However, not all non-HOV users are familiar with the lanes.  Only about 75% of the non-users said that they are familiar with the HOV lanes in terms of knowing the hours of operation and the location of the exits and entrances. 

 

Enforcement of HOV Lanes

 

Ž    In general, commuters do not believe that the HOV lanes are enforced regularly.  Only 41% of those who do not use the HOV lanes and 37% of those who do HOV believe that the lanes are enforced regularly.

Ž    There is no clear understanding among commuters about the penalty for violation of HOV restrictions.  One-third of commuters (34%) said simply that they do not know what the penalty is.  Non-HOV users are slightly more likely to indicate that they do not know what the penalty is.  Some commuters believe there is a fine or ticket for violation, but do not know the amount.  Others think the fine ranges from $25 to $500.

Ž    There is support for more strict enforcement of the HOV lanes, particularly among those who already use the HOV lanes.  Nearly three-fourths (72%) of HOV users believe the lanes should be enforced more fully.  Six out of ten (59%) commuters who do not use the HOV lanes also support more strict enforcement of the lanes.

 

Non-Users

 

Ž    The most frequent reason given for not using the HOV lanes is that they do not know of anyone “going my way.”  Over one-fourth (28%) of commuters who do not use the HOV lanes said that they do not HOV because they know of no one going the same way.

Ž    Among commuters who SOV, there is interest in commuting in a carpool or vanpool for a monetary incentive.  Nearly one-fourth (25%) of commuters would be likely to carpool if paid $.50 a day.  Commuters on I-95 are most interested in carpooling under these conditions.  Twenty-nine percent (29%) of this group would be likely to carpool if paid $.50 a day.  Commuters on I-95 (27%) are also more likely to respond to this $.50 incentive to vanpool than commuters on DTR, I-395 or I-66.

Ž    HOV users (68%) are more likely than non-HOV users (52%) to be aware that there is a Park-n-Ride lot convenient for them to use.  This pattern holds constant across all corridors in Northern Virginia – DTR, I-95, I-395 and I-66.

Ž    About 20% of commuters telework – whether they also HOV or not.  Among those who do not HOV or telework, there is interest in teleworking in the future.  Those who do not use the HOV lanes are significantly more likely to say that they will telework in the future than are those who use the HOV lanes, 47% likelihood among non-HOV users and 32% likelihood among HOV users.   

 

OTHER FINDINGS/RECOMMENDATIONS:

 

Ž    When numerous conditions that support or encourage usage of the HOV lanes come together or “coalesce,” the greater the likelihood that commuters will select a transportation alternative that allows them to use the HOV lanes.  It may be that one of these factors acting alone – e.g., distance traveled, time savings – may be sufficient to increase the likelihood for using the HOV lanes.  The combined effect of several factors, however, could bring the likelihood even higher.  Explore ways of combining messages and incentives for using the HOV lanes to increase the likelihood of selecting a transportation option that allows the use of the HOV lanes.

Ž    Commuters have heard and responded to the message that the HOV lanes will allow them to save time on their commute.  These commuters may be the “easiest” to convert” and receptive to the “saving time” message.  While this message may continue to convert additional commuters to HOV lane usage, it may be that future converters to HOV usage may respond better to other messages.  These messages may include concepts related to less traffic congestion and reducing stress.  Explore how new messages or messages in addition to “save time” can be used to persuade commuters to use the HOV lanes.

Ž    Commuters who do not use the HOV lanes have resisted belief in the benefits of the HOV lanes – or have resisted the messages about the benefits of the HOV lanes.  Explore ways of making the benefits of using the HOV lanes more persuasive.  Assess the extent to which emotional rather than rational messages – or some combination of emotional and rational – can be used to convince additional commuters in Northern Virginia to use the HOV lanes.  For example, a message about time savings – “save 15 minutes on your commute” – tends to be rational.  Develop ways to communicate this message in more emotional ways.

Ž    Lack of perceived enforcement of the HOV lanes may lead commuters to believe that the lanes are not supported by VDOT or legal authorities and, hence, not important.  This perception could prevent adoption of transportation that would allow usage of the HOV lanes.  Lack of enforcement may also convince non-users that not using the HOV lanes is justified because it allows them to rationalize their decision not to HOV.  As long as those who do not use the HOV lanes believe that the restrictions are not enforced, they will be difficult to convert to transportation options that allow them to use the HOV lanes.

Ž    In order for penalties for violation of the lanes to be effective – to attract more qualified users and discourage illegal usage – commuters must know that there are penalties for violation and that they are enforced.  Consider a campaign or specific messages that communicate the penalties for HOV lane violation.  Since there is already support for more strict enforcement of the lanes, a message clarifying or reiterating the penalties would be welcomed by many.

Ž    Lack of awareness is not preventing usage of the HOV lanes.  Lack of understanding – and hence lack of comfort and ease of usage – may be preventing usage of the HOV lanes.  An important role of communications is education.  Explore ways to educate commuters about the HOV lanes in ways that make the lanes seem “easy” to use and increase the commuters’ comfort with using the HOV lanes.

Ž    Communications should not “neglect” the importance of a message about the availability of resources to help commuters find other commuters who might HOV with them.  Emphasize the ease and speed with which these services can be used.

Ž    Potentially, nearly one-fourth of SOV commuters could be converted to carpooling or vanpooling with monetary incentives.  Recognize that not all who say they will carpool or vanpool actually will.  Explore ways to best “convert” these potential HOV commuters to actual HOV commuters through optimal messages and operational logistics (e.g., how money is paid).  Start with SOV commuters on I-95 where the potential is greatest.

Ž    The awareness of the availability of Park-n-Ride lots is positively related to usage of the HOV lanes.  It is important for commuters to be aware of and familiar with Park-n-Ride lots.  Continue to inform commuters about Park-n-Ride lots, including raising awareness and understanding of the lots.

Ž    Multiple solutions are necessary to ease traffic congestion in Northern Virginia.  Some non-HOV users may never HOV.  Nevertheless, they might opt to telework.  Some non-HOV users may chose to both telework and HOV.  Find ways to target messages about the opportunity and process of teleworking to non-HOV users.  Develop finely tuned messages to convert commuters who are already interested in teleworking.

 

AVAILABLE DOCUMENTS:

 

Questionnaire

Data Tables

PowerPoint Presentation

 

Key Words:

 

air quality, carpool, congestion, employer subsidies, HOV calculator, HOV lanes, Park-n-Ride, rideshare, vanpool