This paper examines the circumstances under which congestion pricing of an HOV lane might be appropriate, as well as the operational, legal, and public acceptance issues that bear on feasibility. Use of the I-10 (Katy Freeway) HOV lane is restricted to vehicles with three or more occupants (HOV3+) during the peak hours daily because the original HOV2+ eligibility produced demands approaching capacity and thus significant loss in operating speeds. However, the HOV3+ restriction results in significant excess capacity. In order to move more people during the peaks, METRO and TxDOT are considering allowing HOV2s to "Buy-in." The feasibility analysis shows that there is adequate capacity for up to 600 HOV2s during each peak period. Legal feasibility rested on three issues: 1) authority to toll, 2) authority to enforce, and 3) ability to receive revenues. Critical steps for achieving public acceptance include: 1) understanding historic public feedback nationally, 2) understanding local opinions (both users and general public), 3) developing a public education/information campaign, and 4) developing support among local officials. The approach to establish a pricing policy in Houston involved the following: 1) develop the pricing objectives, 2) determine relevant local mobility prices and related tolling practices, and 3) establish an initial strategy and setting an adjustment policy. The feasibility research has been completed and implementation plan prepared. The transit authority board and the state transportation commission have voted to proceed with a one-year trial beginning in 1997.

The intent of this study is to explore the planning, design, and ongoing operation and maintenance of HOT facilities and to provide lessons learned and applicable technical guidance that will assist the state and local transportation planners and designers in determining the conditions where HOV conversion to HOT lanes is feasible. The study reviewed a broad range of operational HOT facilities from having been operational many years to recently being opened. The study reviewed the activities of each in the planning, design, implementation and operations with special attention given to institutional, design, and operational challenges. The guidebook provides a summary of the best practices and lessons learned from those HOT facilities currently in operation. The result is "Best Practices Top 20" list that evolved as each of the facilities learned or re-learned what other HOT facilities had previously learned. The result was a re-occurring list of "to do"s and what "not to do" to minimize issues during the HOV to HOT transition process.