House of
Representatives
SB 1161
HOV lanes; motorcycles; buses
Sponsor: Senator Tibshraeny.
Senate Bill 1161 allows motorcycles and public transportation vehicles regardless of the number of passengers to use high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes at any time.
History
According to Title 23, Section 166 of the United States Code (23 USC 166), vehicles carrying two or more passengers may travel in an HOV lane during restricted hours. Federal regulation specifies the following as vehicles that are exempt from the occupancy requirement:
1. Motorcycles.
2. Public transportation vehicles.
3. Inherently low emission vehicles, regardless of the numbers of passengers.
4. Other low emission and energy efficient vehicles, regardless of occupancy.
5. High occupancy toll vehicles if the state agency establishes a toll program and the operators of the vehicle pay a toll for use of the facility.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), a discrepancy exists between the U.S. Code and Arizona statute over motorcycle and public transportation vehicle allowance in HOV lanes. Federal regulation states under HOV passenger requirements, “motorcycles shall not be considered single occupant vehicles”. This bill clarifies that motorcycles and public transportation vehicles will be allowed to use an HOV lane during restricted hours.
Currently Arizona has HOV lanes in sections of the I-10, the Loop 202, the Loop 101, the I-17, the SR 51 and the US 60. ADOT rules established, under federal guidelines, the restricted period on HOV lanes as Monday through Friday from 6am to 9am and 3pm to 7pm. Maricopa County of Governments’ (MAG’s) fiscally-constrained plan for freeways and highways expects $4.4 billion will be needed for widening and other improvements to the existing regional freeway/highway network. Included in the plan is the construction of 300 lane miles of HOV lanes before 2012. Construction includes:
I-17 extension HOV lanes as far as Anthem Way.
Loop 101 construction of HOV lanes along the entire length in both directions.
I-10 connection of HOV lanes with the Loop 303.
SR 51 construction of HOV lanes from Shea Blvd. to Loop 101
US 60 extension of HOV lanes east to Meridian Road.
Provisions
· Allows motorcycles to drive in an HOV lane.
· Allows public transportation vehicles with fewer than two passengers to drive in an HOV lane.
· Defines public transportation vehicle as a vehicle that provides a public transportation service and either is owned or operated by the public entity or is operated under a contract with the public entity.
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· Forty-eighth Legislature
· First Regular Session 2 April 4, 2007
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