Network Performance Evaluation Model for HOV Facilities

Abstract

A model to assess the impacts of major high‐occupancy vehicle (HOV) facilities on regional levels of, energy consumption and vehicle air pollution emissions in urban areas is developed and applied. This model can be used to forecast and compare the impacts of alternative HOV facility design and operation plans on traffic patterns, travel costs, mode choice, travel demand, energy consumption, and vehicle emissions. The model is designed to show differences in the overall impacts of alternative HOV facility types, locations, and operation plans, rather than to serve as a tool for detailed engineering design and traffic planning studies. The Network Performance Evaluation Model (NETPEM) combines several urban transportation planning models into a multimodal network equilibrium framework, including a module with which to define the type, location, and operation of the HOV facility to be tested, and an evaluation module with which to assess the impacts of this facility. As an example application, potential impacts of three different HOV lane/ramp facilities, when added to a major expressway in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, are forecasted. The results of these example runs and potential improvements to the model are discussed.