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2009 Edition Part 2 Figure 2G-2. Example of Signing for an Added Continuous-Access Contiguous or Buffer-Separated HOV Lane

Full-size image of Figure 2G-2

Figure 2G-2. Example of Signing for an Added Continuous-Access Contiguous or Buffer-Separated HOV Lane

This figure shows an example of signing for the entrance to, exit from, and end of an added continuous-access contiguous or buffer-separated HOV lane.

A legend shows an arrow indicating the direction of travel on the highway.

The figure shows one direction of travel on segments of a vertical highway with three general purpose lanes. They are shown as separated from each other by broken white lines. The direction of travel is from the bottom to the top of the figure.

One-fourth up from the bottom of the figure, a taper is shown from the leftmost general purpose lane to the entrance of a lane denoted as "HOV lane." It is shown with two white HOV diamond symbols on the road surface in the HOV lane. The HOV lane is then shown ending and merging back with the leftmost general purpose lane.

A series of ten signs are shown, from the bottom to the top of the figure:

  • At the bottom of the figure, the first sign is shown as an R3-15 mounted to the left of the highway. It is shown as a horizontal rectangular white sign with a black border and legend. A white diamond outline symbol on a black panel on the left third of the sign is shown to the left of the words "HOV 2+ LANE 1 MILE" on three lines. A note states: "Where the median width is insufficient, post-mounted designs (R3-10, R3-11, and R3-12 series) may be used." This first sign is shown at a dimensioned distance of ¼ mile prior to the second sign.
  • The second sign is shown as an R3-13a, at a dimensioned distance of ¼ mile prior to the third sign, mounted to the left of the highway. It is shown as a horizontal rectangular white sign with a black border and legend. A white diamond outline symbol on a black panel in the upper left quadrant of the sign is shown to the left of the words "HOV 2+ ONLY" in large letters above the words "2 OR MORE PERSONS PER VEHICLE 6 AM – 9 AM MON – FRI " on three lines. A note states: "Where the median width is insufficient, post-mounted designs (R3-10, R3-11, and R3-12 series) may be used."
  • The third sign is shown as an R3-15, at a dimensioned distance of ½ mile prior to the fourth sign, mounted to the left of the highway. It is shown as a horizontal rectangular white sign with a black border and legend. A white diamond outline symbol on a black panel on the left third of the sign is shown to the left of the words "HOV 2+ LANE 1/2 MILE" on three lines. A note states: "Where the median width is insufficient, post-mounted designs (R3-10, R3-11, and R3-12 series) may be used."
  • The fourth sign is shown as an R3-14 sign mounted over the HOV lane. It is shown at the start of the full-width added HOV lane. It is shown as a horizontal rectangular white sign with the white HOV diamond symbol on a rectangular black background in the upper left corner. It shows the words "HOV 2+" in black on the top line, the word "ONLY" in black on the second line, the words "6 AM – 9 AM" and "MON – FRI" in black on the third line, and a downward-pointing vertical black arrow with a short shaft on the fourth line.
  • The fifth and seventh sign are both shown as an R3-11a sign mounted to the left of the HOV lane. It is shown as a vertical rectangular white sign with a black border and legend. The top third of the sign is shown as a black panel with a white diamond outline symbol to the left of the words "LEFT LANE" on two lines. This panel is shown above the words "HOV 2+ ONLY" in large letters on two lines above the words "6 AM – 9 AM MON – FRI" on the next two lines. The fifth sign at an unspecified distance beyond the fourth sign, at a point where a white HOV diamond is shown in the HOV lane. The seventh sign is shown at a dimensioned distance of ½ mile beyond the fifth sign.
  • The sixth and eighth sign are both shown as an R3-10 sign mounted to the left of the HOV lane. It is shown as a vertical rectangular white sign with a black border and legend. The top third of the sign is shown as a black panel with a white diamond outline symbol centered horizontally. This panel is shown above the words "HOV 2+ ONLY 2 OR MORE PERSONS PER VEHICLE" on four lines. The sixth sign is shown at a dimensioned distance of 800 ft MIN. beyond the fifth sign. The eighth sign is shown at a dimensioned distance of 800 ft MIN. beyond the seventh sign.
  • The ninth sign is shown as an R3-12b sign mounted to the left of the HOV lane and in advance of the end of the HOV lane at a dimensioned distance of ½ mile prior to the tenth sign. It is shown as a vertical rectangular white sign with a black border and legend. The top third of the sign is shown as a black panel with a white diamond outline symbol centered horizontally. This panel is above the words "HOV LANE" on two lines above the words "ENDS 1/2 MILE" in smaller letters on two lines.
  • The tenth sign is shown as an R3-15b sign mounted over the HOV lane. It is shown as a horizontal rectangular white sign with a black border and legend. A white diamond outline symbol on a black panel on the left third of the sign is shown to the left of the words "HOV LANE ENDS" on three lines. It is shown at the point where the wide broken line separating the HOV lane from the adjacent general purpose lane change to a dotted line in advance of the taper at the end of the full-width HOV lane.

The following notes are included:

  1. The minimum vehicle occupancy requirement and hours of operation on the sign may vary for each facility.
  2. See Chapter 3D for pavement markings.
  3. Warning signs are not shown.
  4. Applicable to part-time or full-time HOV restriction.
  5. This roadway condition indicates the HOV lane will merge with the General Purpose Lanes upon termination.
  6. Sets of R3-10 and R3-11a signs should be placed following entrance ramps and at ½-mile intervals along the HOV lane.

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