I-66 COMMUTER STUDY REGARDING HOV/SHOULDER LANES FROM I-495 TO ROUTE 50

SPONSOR:

Virginia Department of Transportation

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:

Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc., Richmond, VA. Conducted: 1993

Contact: John W. Martin

Telephone: 804-358-8981

Email: JWM@SIRresearch.com

OVERALL PURPOSE:

This research was designed to assess perceived operational safety of newly implemented HOV/shoulder lanes that were being used in rush hour. This research led to the development and installation of appropriate signage – resulting in more successful usage of the HOV lanes.

Objectives of Research:

Ž Determine commuters’ attitudes and perceptions of HOV/shoulder lanes from I-495 to Route 50 in regard to:

- Road safety

- Shoulder lane usage

- Signage

- Shoulder lane violators

- Possible strategies to improve road safety and shoulder lane compliance

METHODOLOGY:

Mode of Data Collection	Telephone survey
Completed Interviews	250
Survey Population	Northern Virginia households containing a workday commuter on I-66
Survey Instrument	Questionnaire administered by telephone interviewers
Criteria for Participation	Northern Virginia residents who commute at least 25 minutes one-way to work and travel through or to Fairfax County via I-66.

SELECTED KEY FINDINGS:

Ž Overall, most commuters perceive the 8-mile stretch of I-66 to be safe. In comparison with other major highways in the area, about one-fifth felt I-66 between the Capitol Beltway and Route 50 during rush hour was “more safe” while 48% felt it was as safe as other major highways. One-third (33%) believed it was “less safe.” Eight percent (8%) were “unsure.”

Ž Most commuters understood shoulder lane restrictions. A very high percentage of commuters said the red “X” indicates “the lane is closed to traffic” (93%) and 6% said it indicates “emergency stopping only.”

Ž A sizeable group of commuters did not know what the penalty was for using the shoulder lane illegally. Nearly 2 out of 3 commuters (65%) were aware that driving in the shoulder lane illegally was a moving violation punishable by a $44 fine and up to 3 points on their driving record, but 34% were not aware of the penalty.

Ž Commuters speculated that people were motivated to drive in the shoulder lane when they were not supposed to – “mainly to exit I-66 sooner than signs/pavement markers indicated” (67%) and “because there was little chance they would be stopped and ticketed” (71%).

Ž By an overwhelming margin, the ultimate responsibility for the safety of those using the shoulder lane is believed to rest with the driver (92%).

Ž Two-thirds of commuters (68%) were aware that the restriction for using the HOV lanes on I-66 would be raised from 2 to 3 people once the existing HOV lanes became crowded.

Ž Commuters were aware of and understood how electronic line markers work.

OTHER FINDINGS/RECOMMENDATIONS:

Ž Commuters felt that the following four suggestions put forth to reduce HOV/shoulder lane violations and improve the overall safety on the 8-mile stretch of I-66 between the Capitol Beltway and Route 50 would be most helpful:

“Installing reflective pavement markers and stripes to indicate where drivers could enter the shoulder and begin exiting I-66” (84%)

“More vigorous enforcement of HOV violators by the state police and courts” (84%)

“More vigorous enforcement of shoulder lane violators by the state police and courts” (81%)

“Making information available on how to use I-66 on the 8-mile stretch for all commuters via direct mail, newspapers, announcements, etc.” (73%)

AVAILABLE DOCUMENTS:

Data Tables

KEY WORDS:

HOV lanes, information, safety, shoulder lanes, signage