I would like to understand why Texas does not let Hybrid vehicles onto the HOV lanes. Is there anything Texas Hybrid owners can do to help make this happen? The Houston HOV lanes do not look over congested to me. I have seen some big rules about what should be considered a real Hybrid and that only those kinds of vehicles should be allowed on HOV lanes, that all sounds good to me as a way of keeping congestion down. As a FYI motor cycles are allowed on Houston HOV with one person occupancy. I am sure Texans would like to understand what the requirements are to achieve such a change. Please submit suggestions or thoughts?
I am not in favor of hybrids in the HOV lanes, just because they are hybrids.
I commute to work, alone, 56 miles each way. We had a HOV lane, but it was retired because no one was using it. I think HOV lanes are for vehicles with high occupancy. Not hybrids with one person.
I am not so sure a big city like Houston can just fold up their HOV lanes. Metro Buses, Car pools, and Motor Cycles are using them. I would agree from a selfish point of view, if I can't use them then sure, shut down the HOV lanes and let me have more lanes. I think I have a better chance of working on allowing Hybrids on to the TX HOV lanes.
The main idea of this thread was not to debate if Hybrids should be allowed on TX HOV lanes but how to go about making this an option for Texans to take their Hybrids onto the HOV. People could still choose not to use this service if they felt it was not a good idea.
Believe me, I support any hybrid incentive possible. I live in the Dallas area and people run over you for not going at least 10mph over the stated limit. If you are going 70mph or faster, are you really saving fuel?
What I do is take the rightmost lane just under the posted speed limit, letting people by (although a few jerks go out of their way to pass on the right, using the shoulder or access ramp... ). I will go on and off access ramps to be around trafic that goes around 50mph (the speed I try to go).
I do see your point about not being able to get the best MPG at 70 MPH, not sure that is really the average speed of our HOV, that sounds fast. I know thats not your point, I get it.
I can be in any lane in Houston and be almost guaranteed that I will not break 45 MPH during rush hours; most of the way it is 10 to 30 MPH. I work about 38 miles away from my house and it only takes 80 to 90 minutes to get their. HOV removes 30 minutes or more of my car not running. Not sure what is better, I am a newbie to all this.
I am still hoping someone will go over some ideas on how so many states have allowed Hybrids on to the HOV. The only state that looks like they are not happy with allowing hybrids on to the HOV is Virginia. I am not sure that this is a big problem, just some people are not happy. I think it would be nice to have the right to get on the HOV. What I think would happen for me if we were allowed on the HOV, is I would use it in the morning because I like my sleep, but on my way home I would want to get my MPG average backup.
. . .
I am still hoping someone will go over some ideas on how so many states have allowed Hybrids on to the HOV. The only state that looks like they are not happy with allowing hybrids on to the HOV is Virginia. I am not sure that this is a big problem, just some people are not happy. I think it would be nice to have the right to get on the HOV. What I think would happen for me if we were allowed on the HOV, is I would use it in the morning because I like my sleep, but on my way home I would want to get my MPG average backup.
So you want to have your cake and eat it too.
I am not sure about why Virginia may not be happy with hybrids in the HOV lane. But the issue is being talked about in CA.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has reported that the HOV lanes in some areas, particulalry in northern CA, are getting congested and have specifically recommended that no more HOV access stickers be issued.
The current access prorgam in CA is limited to 75000 stickers (whicch I believe has be reached) and will expire on 1/1/08 unless extended. The current program can be suspended if Caltrans thinks it is causing a problem. They have not called for suspension of access, just requesting that no additional access be granted.
The conflict is that a bill was passed in CA extending the program to 2011 and adding another 10,000 stickers. Last I heard it was still on Gov. Schwartzenegger's desk. He is a big hybrid supporter, but is probably getting some pressure not to expand a program that may be causing congestion. The Caltrans report did not blame hybrid access for the congestion, but hey don't want more cars there right now.
I was not a big fan of diamond lanes in their purest form (2 or 3 people per car depending on the route). I think they add to congestion and smog as much as they encourage carpooling. When 14 ft of usable concrete is set aside for only 5% or less of the cars, the rest of the cars are in an even tigher jam that is not good for air quality, fuel economy or productivity. Using the lane for other environmentally and economically sensible incentives, like getting people to use the cleanest and/or most efficient vehicles possible, is a good use. If the hybrids and alternative fuel cars get kicked out, I think the motorcycles need to go too.
My wife (Laura) is going to do a report about this topic, for one of her college courses. I have suggested this would be a good form for here to get her thoughts together on this. Thanks for the info Gretchen, I will ask my wife to review this discussion as a starting point.
If you are going 70mph or faster, are you really saving fuel?
Quote:
Chuck
Went to WACO this weekend in my PRIUS, kept my MPH around 58 to 70, I was able to stay above 50 MPG. So maybe I can still get good gas milliage on the HOV. Total trip was about 300 miles.
HOV Lane Usage in Texas (why not?)
If you are going 70mph or faster, are you really saving fuel? 
). I will go on and off access ramps to be around trafic that goes around 50mph (the speed I try to go).
Re: HOV Lane Usage in Texas (why not?)
Re: HOV Lane Usage in Texas (why not?)
