Figure 2E-48. Example of Signing for the Entrance to and Exit from an Added HOV Lane
This figure shows an example of signing for the entrance to and exit from an added HOV lane.
The figure shows one direction of travel on segments of a vertical highway with three traffic lanes denoted as "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 to a lane denoted as "HOV lane." It is shown with two white HOV diamond symbols on the road surface with the note: "Space HOV diamond symbol at 400 m (1/4 mi) intervals." The HOV lane is then shown ending and merging back with the leftmost general purpose lane.
A series of seven signs are shown, from the bottom to the top of the figure, all of which are shown as mounted to the left of the roadway, except as otherwise noted:
- Near the bottom of the figure, the first sign is shown at a dimension of 400 m (1/4 mi) in advance of the second sign. It is shown as a horizontal rectangular green sign with the white HOV diamond symbol on a rectangular black background in the upper left corner. It shows the words "HOV 2+ LANE" in white on the top line, the words "1 MILE" in white on the middle line, and the words "LEFT EXIT" on the bottom line.
- The second sign is shown as an R3-13a sign at a dimension of 400 m (1/4 mi) in advance of the third sign. 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+ ONLY" in black on the top line, the words "2 OR MORE PERSONS" in black on the second line, the words "PER VEHICLE" in black on the third line, and the words "6 AM – 9 AM" and "MON – FRI" in black on the fourth line.
- The third sign is shown at a dimension of 800 m (1/2 mi) in advance of the fourth sign. It is shown as identical to the first sign, except the words "1/2 MILE" are shown instead of the words "1 MILE." At this point, a taper is shown from the leftmost general purpose lane to the entrance of the HOV lane.
- The fourth sign is shown as an R3-14 sign mounted over the 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. Just beyond this sign, a white HOV diamond is shown on the pavement of the HOV lane.
- The fifth sign is shown as an R3-12b sign to the left of the roadway 800 m (1/2 mi) in advance of the sixth sign and at the point where the second white HOV diamond is shown on the pavement of the HOV lane. The sign is shown as a vertical rectangular white sign divided into three sections. The top section shows the word "HOV" in black on the top line and the word "LANE" in black on the bottom line against a white background. The middle section shows a white HOV diamond symbol on a black background. The bottom section shows the word "ENDS" in black on the top line and the words "1/2 MILE" in black on the bottom line on a white background. A smaller yellow rectangle is shown mounted below this sign with the words "MERGE RIGHT" in black. At this point, a white HOV diamond is shown on the pavement of the HOV lane.
- The sixth sign is shown as an R3-15a horizontal rectangular white sign divided into two vertical sections. A white HOV diamond symbol on a black background is shown in the left section. In the right section, the word "HOV" in black is shown on the top line, the word "LANE" in black is shown on the middle line, and the word "ENDS" in black is shown on the bottom line. A smaller yellow rectangle is shown mounted below this sign with the words "MERGE RIGHT" in black. At this point, the broken white line separating the HOV lane from the general purpose lanes changes to a dotted white line.
- The seventh sign is shown as a W4-2 sign at the point where the HOV lane begins to taper to the right. It is shown as a diamond-shaped yellow sign with a black border and legend. It shows a thick, vertical line on the left that angles toward the right half way up; a thick, vertical straight line on the right; and a thin, short vertical dotted line between them that is the length of the vertical section of the line on the left.
A legend shows an arrow indicating the direction of travel on the highway.
Notes have the following entries:
- Reference Sections 3B.22 and 3B.23 for additional pavement marking information.
- Reference Sections 2B.26 through 2B.28 and 2E.59 for appropriate text information.
- The word message HOV may be used instead of the diamond symbol.
- The advance lane signing scheme will also work if installed on the right side of the roadway, but all others must appear adjacent or over the HOV lane.
- The minimum vehicle occupancy requirement and hours of operation on the sign may vary for each facility.
- Works for part-time or full time.
- This roadway condition indicates the HOV lane will merge with the General Purpose Lanes upon termination.
