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2009 Edition Part 2 Figure 2G-3. Example of Signing for a General-Purpose Lane that Becomes a Continuous-Access Contiguous or Buffer-Separated HOV Lane

Full-size image of Figure 2G-3

Figure 2G-3. Example of Signing for a General-Purpose Lane that Becomes a Continuous-Access Contiguous or Buffer-Separated HOV Lane

This figure shows an example of signing for general-purpose lane that becomes a 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 four general purpose lanes. They are shown as separated from each other by broken white lines. In the middle of the figure, the left lane is denoted as an HOV lane, and two white HOV diamond symbols are shown marked on the pavement in the HOV lane. The direction of travel is from the bottom to the top of the figure.

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 R3-15a mounted over the left 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 2+ ONLY BEGINS 1 MILE" on three lines above a short downward-pointing vertical arrow. 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 mounted to the left of the highway. It is shown at a dimensioned distance of ¼ mile prior to the first sign. 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, this sign may be mounted overhead."
  • The third sign is shown as an R3-12e sign mounted to the left of the highway. It is shown at a dimensioned distance of ½ mile prior to the fourth 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 left aligned and the words "LEFT LANE" in white are shown on two lines to the right of the diamond. This panel is above the words "HOV 2+ ONLY 1/2 MILE" on three lines.
  • The fourth sign is shown as an R3-14 sign mounted over the left lane. It is shown at the point where the left lane changes from a general purpose lane to an HOV lane. The width of the broken white line separating this lane from the general purpose lanes is shown as wider. The sign 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 signs are both shown as an R3-11a sign that is mounted to the left of the HOV lane. The sign 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 is shown as 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 a dimensioned distance of ½ mile beyond the fifth sign.
  • The sixth and eighth signs are both shown as an R3-10 sign that is 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 R3-12d sign that is mounted to the left of the HOV lane, at a dimensioned distance of ½ mile prior to the tenth sign, at the point where a second white HOV diamond symbol is shown on the pavement of the HOV lane. The sign 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 R3-15c sign mounted over the HOV lane. It is shown at the point where the left lane reverts back from being an HOV lane to being a general purpose lane. The sign is shown as a horizontal rectangular 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 RESTRICTION ENDS" on three lines. Beyond this sign, the left lane is denoted with the other three lanes as general purpose lanes and the width of the broken white line separating this lane from the other general purpose lanes is shown as the same width.

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. Applicable to part-time or full-time HOV restriction.
  4. This roadway condition indicates the HOV lane will become a general purpose lane upon termination of the restriction.
  5. Sets of R3-10 and R3-11a signs should be placed at 0.5 mi intervals along the HOV lane and following entrance ramps.
  6. This signing scheme can also be used for an HOV lane on the right-hand side of the roadway.

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