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| Welcome
to ADOT’s East Valley eNewsletter
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HOV "DIAMONDS" ARE COMMUTERS'
BEST FRIEND
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The sight of brand-new
High Occupancy Lane (HOV) “Diamond”
signs will soon
light up the faces of East Valley commuters on Loop
101 between Via de Ventura and Loop 202. |
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Slated for completion in November 2008, this segment is the
first to be completed in a Loop 101 project that is adding an
HOV lane in each direction over a 38 mile stretch between north
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Gilbert to the south.
When all segments are completed in the fall of 2009, the 38
miles will be the longest continuous HOV lane in greater Phoenix.
Commuters who buddy-up with three others to use the full 38
miles of HOV lanes stand to earn real “diamonds.”
By carpooling 38 miles a day, each commuter will save about
$8,000 a year, according to the Arizona Automobile Association’s
commuting cost calculator. That’s about the cost of a
fine one carat diamond.
And speaking of carbon forms, your carpool group of four commuters
would be reducing the carbon emissions in the greater Phoenix
area by a whopping 1,500 lbs per year!*
*AAA Your Driving Costs 2007
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HOV
LANES REDUCE THE "TIME TAX" ON COMMUTERS
With
the completion of each major freeway improvement, Governor Janet
Napolitano references reducing the “Time Tax” exacted
by the time lost in sluggish transit by Arizona motorists.
The completion of major freeway improvements such as HOV Lanes,
Gov. Janet Napolitano notes, makes traffic flow more efficient
and reduces the “Time Tax” exacted by sluggish transit.
Like others who use the HOV lanes regularly, working parents
are acutely aware how 30 minutes saved on each end of their
day reduces their “time tax.”
Working parents who use HOV lanes regularly are acutely aware
that saving 30 minutes on each end of their day reduces their
“time tax.”
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One of them is busy mom Paige Schilt. She purchased
a Prius Hybrid to reduce her family’s carbon
footprint and enrolled in the pilot project to gain
access to HOV lanes even when she’s alone
in her car. Now, she benefits from the gift of time
every day.
“Now that I use the HOV lanes, I don’t
have to rush my kid’s breakfast because I
have a more predictable commute in the morning."
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"At night I have a little more time to play with my son
before it gets dark. That may not seem like a big deal, but
in my world, an extra couple of hours each week to spend with
our kids is priceless.”
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Table of Contents
Welcome
HOV Diamonds
HOV Lanes Reduce "Time Tax"
HOV Lanes Ease Congestion
Two Occupants
Contact
ADOT
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HIGH
OCCUPANCY VEHICLE (HOV) LANES
EASE CONGESTION TWO WAYS
HOV lanes relieve traffic congestion in two ways. Monday through
Friday, 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m., the lanes are reserved
for:
- Vehicles
carrying two or more people.
- Motorcycles,
including those with only one person.
- Valley
Metro buses.
- Alternative
Fuel Vehicles (AFV) bearing either an AFV license
plate or an AFV sticker.
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The 10,000
hybrid vehicles that are enrolled in a pilot project dealing
with fuel efficiency. The hybrids include Honda Insight, Honda
Civic Hybrid, and Toyota Prius, and they bear a special hybrid
license plate or sticker indicating they can use an HOV lane.
No new plates are available in September 2008.
During off-peak hours, however, solo drivers are encouraged
to use an HOV lane to help move traffic more efficiently.
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Table of Contents
Welcome
HOV Diamonds
HOV Lanes Reduce "Time Tax"
HOV Lanes Ease Congestion
Two Occupants
Contact
ADOT
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“TWO
OCCUPANTS” ISN’T FUNNY BUSINESS
Motorists are cautioned not to abuse the rules governing HOV
lane use. Unauthorized use can result in a fine of $350 or more
and may cause an increase in the cost of car insurance. Follow
these rules:
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Do not use an HOV lane to pass slower traffic.
- Do
not use an HOV lane to exit.
- Do
not use inflatable dolls for “passengers.”
- Do
not consider unborn children, even twins or triplets,
as “passengers.”
- Do
not consider Fido and Spot as “two occupants.”
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Table
of Contents
Welcome
HOV Diamonds
HOV Lanes Reduce "Time Tax"
HOV Lanes Ease Congestion
Two Occupants
Contact
ADOT
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Our
Valley freeway system is part of the 2004 voter-approved
Regional Transportation Plan. We are working hard with
our transit partners to implement the voters’
vision and are committed to quality, safety, open communication
with our neighbors, and minimal inconvenience to the
traveling public. |
This
is your electronic connection to ADOT activities in the East
Valley.
This email list will not be shared for non-ADOT purposes.
Since the 2004 voter-approved extension of the ½ cent
transportation tax, ADOT has been working diligently with
local and regional governments to implement the Regional Transportation
Plan.
The Regional Transportation Plan is a comprehensive, multimodal
20 year regional plan that provides the blueprint for transportation
investments in the Maricopa County region through 2025. You
can view the Regional Transportation Plan at www.mag.maricopa.gov
This archived eNewsletter is presented as historical information.
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East Valley Transportation Projects
Arizona Department
of Transportation
Communication and Community Partnerships Division
Copyright
Arizona Department of Transportation 2008.
All Rights Reserved.
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