Most states consider vehicles with two or three passengers to be high occupancy vehicles (HOVs). The term is most commonly used in reference to HOV lanes on the highway.
Definition
Sometimes called a carpool lane, an HOV lane is reserved for vehicles with a minimum of two or three passengers. It is typically located next to the regular lanes and is marked with a sign and diamond patterns painted on the road.
Purpose
HOV lanes encourage more passengers to ride in fewer vehicles, resulting in less congestion on the roads. Less traffic on the highways may mean a reduction in expensive expansion projects, as well as cleaner air due to fewer exhaust emissions.
Benefits
Carpoolers benefit the most from HOV lanes, allowing them to avoid any congested traffic in the neighboring regular-use lanes during rush hours. The result is usually a substantial savings in travel time.
References
Photo Credits
- carpool sign image by robert mobley from Fotolia.com