HOV Attitude and Usage Study

1
HOV Attitude and Usage Study

• September 24, 2003

2
Todays Agenda

• I. Objectives and Methodology
• II. Detailed Findings
• Commuters Who Use the HOV Lanes
• Perceptions of HOV
• Reasons for Not Using the HOV Lanes
• Ridesharing
• Transportation and Commuting Issues
• Response to Information about HOV Lanes
• III. Conclusions and Implications

3
Objectives and Methodology
4
Objectives

• Assess awareness of HOV lanes
• Determine level of support and usage of HOV lanes
• Assess perceptions and imagery of HOV lanes
• Assess perceived benefits and importance of
  benefits of the lanes
• Better understand HOV usage by comparing current
  users to commuters who could use the HOV lanes
  but do not
• Assess perceptions of lane enforcement
• Identify barriers to usage and ways that these
  barriers can be overcome

5
Methodology

• A telephone survey was conducted among commuters
  in Northern Virginia who travel on the Dulles
  Toll Road, I-95, I-395 or I-66
• Some respondents currently use the HOV lanes, and
  some do not use the HOV lanes but could
• Non-users had to travel a sufficient distance for
  HOV lanes to be beneficial. Commuters on I-95
  and I-395 had to travel for at least 30 minutes
  to qualify. Commuters on DTR and I-66 had to
  travel for at least 20 minutes
• For non users, HOV lanes had to be conveniently
  accessible to them
• In addition, all respondents had to
• Be aged 18 - 65
• Commute at least 3 days a week during morning
  rush hour on DTR, I-95, I-395 or I-66

6
Methodology

• 1,800 interviews were targeted for completion.
  These interviews were to include 200 HOV users on
  each of the corridors DTR, I-95, I-395 and
  I-66. The sample was also designed to include
  non HOV users 200 each on I-95 and I-395 and
  400 each on DTR and I-66.
• 1,817 interviews were completed, distributed as
  follows
• Total DTR I-95 I-395
  I-66
• Use Non Use Non Use Non Use Non Use
  Non
• HOV User HOV User HOV User HOV User HOV
  User
• 677 1,140 174 478 219 291
  223 237 301 536
• The typical morning commute for some commuters
  involves more than one of these corridors. Thus,
  some respondents are represented more than once
  in these categories.

7
Detailed Findings
8
Commuters Who Use the HOV Lanes
9
Mode of Transportation Used Most Often
Data from Q8 Which of the following
transportation modes do you use most often when
commuting on (DTR/I-95/I-395/I-66)?
10
Average Length of Trip in Minutes
Data from Q12 On average, how many minutes does
it take to travel from your home to
(DESTINATION), one-way?
11
Average Length of Trip in Minutes-- By Corridor
--
Data from Q12 On average, how many minutes does
it take to travel from your home to
(DESTINATION), one-way?
12
Average Length of Trip in Miles
Data from Q13 About how many miles is that?
13
Average Length of Trip in Miles-- By Corridor --
Data from Q13 About how many miles is that?
14
Average Miles and Minutes for Commute
15
Average Miles and Minutes for Commute-- By
Corridor --
16
Employment Status
44 of I-95 HOV users and 48 of I-395 HOV users
work for the federal government
Data from Q39 Do you work for ?
17
Alternative Transportation Support Offered by
Employer
Data from Q40 Which of the following does your
employer offer?
18
Age
Mean age of HOV 42 Mean age of non HOV 40
Data from Q41 Which of the following best
describes your current age?
19
Race or Ethnicity
Data from Q42 Which of the following best
describes your race or ethnicity?
20
Length of Time Lived in Area
Mean years in area HOV 13 Non HOV 15
Data from Q43 How many years have you lived in
your area?
21
Annual Household Income
Mean HOV 97,000 Non HOV 94,000
Data from Q44 Is your current annual household
income above or below 50,000? If over, ask
Is it 125,000 or more, 100,000 -124,999,
75,000-99,999, 50,000-74,999? If below,
ask Is it 35,000-49,999, 25,000-34,999,
15,000-25,999, 5,000-14,999, under 5,000?
22
Gender
Data from Q46 Specify gender. (DO NOT ASK.)
23
Reasons for Using HOV Lanes
Data from Q17 You indicated that you do use the
HOV lanes on your regular commute. Why have you
decided to use a transportation option that
allows you to use the HOV lanes?
24
Perceptions of HOV
25
Agreement with Statements about HOV Lanes
86
84
84
82
83
72
69
62
50
46
44
40
36
33
22
Data from Q22 Next, Im going to read you some
statements that relate to HOV lanes. For each,
please tell me if you agree or disagree with that
statement. (Follow-up with Would that be
strongly or somewhat?)
26
Perception of How Strictly the HOV Lanes Are
Enforced
39
Proportion who answered 5 or 4 on 5-point
scale, where 1 means that the restrictions are
not enforced at all and 5 means that the
restrictions are enforced regularly.
37
41
Data from Q36 How strictly would you say the
HOV lane restrictions are enforced? Please use a
scale of 1-5 for your answer, where 1 means
that the restrictions are not enforced at all and
5 means that the restrictions are enforced
regularly.
27
Perception of How Strictly the HOV Lanes Are
Enforced-- By Corridor --
Proportion who answered 5 or 4 on 5-point
scale, where 1 means that the restrictions are
not enforced at all and 5 means that the
restrictions are enforced regularly.
Data from Q36 How strictly would you say the
HOV lane restrictions are enforced? Please use a
scale of 1-5 for your answer, where 1 means
that the restrictions are not enforced at all and
5 means that the restrictions are enforced
regularly.
28
Perception of Current Penalty or Penalties for
Violation of HOV Restrictions
Data from Q37 What is the current penalty or
penalties for violation of HOV lane restrictions?
29
Perception of Current Penalty or Penalties for
Violation of HOV Restrictions -- By Corridor --
Data from Q37 What is the current penalty or
penalties for violation of HOV lane restrictions?
30
Agree that HOV Lanes Should Be Enforced More
Fully
Total proportion answer-ing 4 or 5 on 5-point
scale, where 1 means do not agree at all and
5 means agree very much.
Data from Q38 To what extent do you agree with
the following statement HOV lanes should be
enforced more fully? Please use a scale of 1-5
for your answer, where 1 means do not agree at
all and 5 means agree very much.
31
Reasons for Not Using the HOV Lanes
32
Aware of HOV Lanes
Based to those who do not use HOV lanes.
Data from Q15 Prior to this interview, were you
aware of the HOV lanes on (DTR/I-95/I-395/I-66)?
33
Familiarity with HOV Lanes
Total proportion answer-ing 4 or 5 on 5-point
scale, where 1 means not very familiar and
5 means very familiar.
Based to those who do not use HOV lanes but are
aware of them.
Data from Q16 How familiar are you with the
HOV lanes on (DTR/I-95/I-395/I-66)? By familiar
I mean, do you know where the exits and entrances
for the HOV lanes are? Do you know the hours of
operation? How familiar would you say you are
with the HOV lanes? Please use a scale of 1-5
for your answer, where 1 is not very familiar
and 5 is very familiar.
34
Reasons for Not Using HOV Lanes
Data from Q18 You indicated that you do not use
the HOV lanes. Why have you decided not to use
the HOV lanes? / You indicated that you use the
HOV lanes 1-2 days per week. Why do you not use
the HOV lanes more often?
35
Past Usage of HOV Lanes
Yes DTR 30 I-95 43 I-395 45 I-66 37
Data from Q19 Have you in the past ever used
any HOV lanes regularly?
Based to commuters who do not use the HOV lanes.
36
Likelihood of Joining Carpool or Vanpool or Take
Bus to Use HOV Lanes
26
25
Based to those who currently SOV.
28
26
25
Data from Q25 How likely would you be in the
future to join a carpool or vanpool or take a bus
in order to use the HOV lanes? Would you be very
likely, somewhat likely, not very likely or not
at all likely?
37
Transportation Most Likely to Use in Order to Use
HOV Lanes
Based to those who said they are somewhat or very
likely to use alternate transportation in order
to use HOV lanes.
Data from Q26 Which of the following
alternatives would you most likely use for your
work commute/destinations?
38
Transportation Most Likely to Use in Order to Use
HOV Lanes-- By Corridor --
Based to those who said they are somewhat or very
likely to use alternate transportation in order
to use HOV lanes.
Data from Q26 Which of the following
alternatives would you most likely use for your
work/commute destination?
39
Ridesharing
40
Attribute Impact on Likelihood of Ridesharing
52
48
42
Total proportion answer- ing 4 or 5 on
5-point scale, where 1 means not at all
likely and 5 means very likely.
40
40
35
33
29
29
Based to those who currently SOV.
16
Data from Q21a People rideshare for a variety
of reasons. On a scale of 1-5 where 1 is not
at all likely and 5 is very likely, how
likely would you be to rideshare once or twice a
week if ?
41
Attribute Impact on Likelihood of Ridesharing--
DTR --
51
45
39
Total proportion answer-ing 4 or 5 on 5-point
scale, where 1 means not at all likely and
5 means very likely.
49
39
34
29
25
24
Based to those who currently SOV.
13
Data from Q21a People rideshare for a variety
of reasons. On a scale of 1-5 where 1 is not
at all likely and 5 is very likely, how
likely would you be to rideshare once or twice a
week if ?
42
Attribute Impact on Likelihood of Ridesharing--
I-95 --
55
52
48
Total proportion answer-ing 4 or 5 on 5-point
scale, where 1 means not at all likely and
5 means very likely.
49
48
42
44
31
Based to those who currently SOV.
40
24
Data from Q21a People rideshare for a variety
of reasons. On a scale of 1-5 where 1 is not
at all likely and 5 is very likely, how
likely would you be to rideshare once or twice a
week if ?
43
Attribute Impact on Likelihood of Ridesharing--
I-395 --
58
52
48
Total proportion answer-ing 4 or 5 on 5-point
scale, where 1 means not at all likely and
5 means very likely.
46
46
39
44
32
36
Based to those who currently SOV.
18
Data from Q21a People rideshare for a variety
of reasons. On a scale of 1-5 where 1 is not
at all likely and 5 is very likely, how
likely would you be to rideshare once or twice a
week if ?
44
Attribute Impact on Likelihood of Ridesharing--
I-66 --
53
48
44
Total proportion answer-ing 4 or 5 on 5-point
scale, where 1 means not at all likely and
5 means very likely.
40
39
34
34
30
Based to those who currently SOV.
29
15
Data from Q21a People rideshare for a variety
of reasons. On a scale of 1-5 where 1 is not
at all likely and 5 is very likely, how
likely would you be to rideshare once or twice a
week if ?
45
Reasons for Ridesharing
Based to those who currently rideshare.
Data from Q21b People rideshare for a variety
of reasons. For each one, please tell me whether
it is or is not a reason why you currently
rideshare rather than drive alone.
46
Reasons for Ridesharing-- DTR --
Based to those who currently rideshare.
Data from Q21b People rideshare for a variety
of reasons. For each one, please tell me whether
it is or is not a reason why you currently
rideshare rather than drive alone.
47
Reasons for Ridesharing-- I-95 --
Based to those who currently rideshare.
Data from Q21b People rideshare for a variety
of reasons. For each one, please tell me whether
it is or is not a reason why you currently
rideshare rather than drive alone.
48
Reasons for Ridesharing-- I-395 --
Based to those who currently rideshare.
Data from Q21b People rideshare for a variety
of reasons. For each one, please tell me whether
it is or is not a reason why you currently
rideshare rather than drive alone.
49
Reasons for Ridesharing-- I-66 --
Based to those who currently rideshare.
Data from Q21b People rideshare for a variety
of reasons. For each one, please tell me whether
it is or is not a reason why you currently
rideshare rather than drive alone.
50
Importance Index

• Respondents who rideshare were asked their first
  and second most important reasons for
  ridesharing.
• An Importance Index was created by assigning 2
  points for every first place mention and 1 point
  for every second place mention.
• The points were totaled for each attribute (or
  reason). Then, the points for all attributes
  were totaled. The proportion of the total
  accumulated for each attribute represents that
  attributes Importance Index. This value
  represents each attributes relative importance
  in deciding to rideshare.

51
Most Important Reasons for Ridesharing--
Importance Index --
Based to those who currently rideshare.
The values reported in this graph represent the
total proportion of first and second place
importance rankings for each attribute.
52
Most Important Reasons for Ridesharing--
Importance Index DTR --
Based to those who currently rideshare.
The values reported in this graph represent the
total proportion of first and second place
importance rankings for each attribute.
53
Most Important Reasons for Ridesharing--
Importance Index I-95 --
Based to those who currently rideshare.
The values reported in this graph represent the
total proportion of first and second place
importance rankings for each attribute.
54
Most Important Reasons for Ridesharing--
Importance Index I-395 --
Based to those who currently rideshare.
The values reported in this graph represent the
total proportion of first and second place
importance rankings for each attribute.
55
Most Important Reasons for Ridesharing--
Importance Index I-66 --
Based to those who currently rideshare.
The values reported in this graph represent the
total proportion of first and second place
importance rankings for each attribute.
56
Likelihood of Carpooling if Paid .50 a Day
22
Total proportion answer-ing 4 or 5 on 5-point
scale, where 1 means not very likely and 5
means very likely.
20
29
24
Based to those who currently SOV.
23
Data from Q21c Suppose that a program were
created that would pay commuters .50 a day to
carpool on their commute. If this program were
in place, how likely would you be to carpool?
Please use a scale of 1-5 for your answer, were
1 means not very likely and 5 means very
likely.
57
Likelihood of Vanpooling if Paid .50 a Day
19
16
Total proportion answer-ing 4 or 5 on 5-point
scale, where 1 means not very likely and 5
means very likely.
27
21
Based to those who currently SOV.
18
Data from Q21c Suppose that a program were
created that would pay commuters .50 a day to
carpool on their commute. If this program were
in place, how likely would you be to carpool?
Please use a scale of 1-5 for your answer, were
1 means not very likely and 5 means very
likely.
58
Transportation and Commuting Issues
59
Importance of Factors in Selecting Type of
Transportation
96
95
94
90
89
88
84
77
73
62
61
54
Data from Q20 I am going to read a list of some
factors that commuters sometimes consider in
deciding on the type of transportation they use
to travel to and from work / their various
destinations. Please tell me if each factor is
very important, somewhat important, not very
important, or not at all important in your choice
of transportation to and from work / your
destination.
60
Importance of Factors in Selecting Type of
Transportation-- HOV Users Compared to Non Users
--
Total very and somewhat import-ant.
61
Importance of Factors in Selecting Type of
Transportation-- DTR --
Total very and somewhat import-ant.
62
Importance of Factors in Selecting Type of
Transportation-- I-95 --
Total very and somewhat import-ant.
63
Importance of Factors in Selecting Type of
Transportation-- I-395 --
Total very and somewhat import-ant.
64
Importance of Factors in Selecting Type of
Transportation-- I-66 --
Total very and somewhat import-ant.
65
Awareness of Convenient Park-n-Ride Lot
Data from Q23 Whether or not you use it, do you
know if there is a park-n-ride lot or commuter
parking lot that is convenient to you?
66
Average Number of Days per Week Personal Vehicle
Needed
Data from Q24 In an average week, approximately
how many days do you need a car so that you can
attend to childcare matters or other errands on
your way to or from work / your destination or
during your lunch break?
67
Frequency of Teleworking
Data from Q26a How often, if ever, do you
telework or work from home?
68
Frequency of Teleworking-- DTR --
0
0
Data from Q26a How often, if ever, do you
telework or work from home?
69
Frequency of Teleworking-- I-95 --
0
Data from Q26a How often, if ever, do you
telework or work from home?
70
Frequency of Teleworking-- I-395 --
0
0
0
Data from Q26a How often, if ever, do you
telework or work from home?
71
Frequency of Teleworking-- I-66 --
0
Data from Q26a How often, if ever, do you
telework or work from home?
72
Likelihood to Telework in Future
42
32
Based to those who said that they currently do
not telework.
47
Data from Q26b How likely would you be in the
future to telework or work from you home? Would
you be very likely, somewhat likely, not very
likely, or not at all likely?
73
Likelihood to Telework in Future-- By Corridor --
Total very and somewhat likely.
Based to those who said they currently do not
telework.
Data from Q26b How likely would you be in the
future to telework or work from you home? Would
you be very likely, somewhat likely, not very
likely, or not at all likely?
74
Familiarity with Alternate Fuel Vehicles
Very Somewhat Familiar HOV 73 Non HOV 71
Based to total sample.
. Data from Q8a How familiar are you with
alternate fuel vehicles? You might also know
these vehicles as hybrid vehicles or low emission
vehicles. Would you say you are very familiar,
somewhat familiar, not very familiar or never
heard of?
75
Familiarity with Alternate Fuel Vehicles-- By
Corridor --
Total very and somewhat familiar.
Data from Q8a How familiar are you with
alternate fuel vehicles? You might also know
these vehicles as hybrid vehicles or low emission
vehicles. Would you say you are very familiar,
somewhat familiar, not very familiar or never
heard of?
76
Aware that Drivers of Alternate Fuel Vehicles Can
Use HOV Lanes If Only Person in Car
Yes HOV 60 Non HOV 36
Data from Q8a How familiar are you with
alternate fuel vehicles? You might also know
these vehicles as hybrid vehicles or low emission
vehicles. Would you say you are very familiar,
somewhat familiar, not very familiar or never
heard of?
77
Response to Information about HOV Lanes
78
Awareness of Information about HOV Lanes
Data from Q27 Have you seen or heard any
mention of the HOV lanes on television, radio, in
the newspaper, on the internet, mail that you
received at home or any other sources of
information?
79
Awareness of Information about HOV Lanes-- By
Corridor --
Data from Q27 Have you seen or heard any
mention of the HOV lanes on television, radio, in
the newspaper, on the internet, mail that you
received at home or any other sources of
information?
80
Familiarity with HOV Calculator
Highest usage among I-95 HOV users 5
Data from Q33 Which of the following best
describes your familiarity with the HOV
calculator, found at HOV calculator.com on the
internet?
81
Reasons for Not Visiting Website or Using
Calculator
Data from Q34 Why did you not visit the website
/ use the calculator?
82
Source of Advertising
Based to those who recalled seeing or hearing
advertising about HOV Lanes.
Data from Q28a Where did you see or hear that
advertising?
83
Usefulness of Information
63
47
38
38
35
Based to those aware of each information source.
32
29
Data from Q29 Thinking about the information
you learned about through (SOURCE), how useful
was that information? Would you describe it as
very useful, fairly useful, somewhat useful, or
very useful?
84
Reasons Information Useful
Data from Q30 Why do you say that?
85
Reasons Information Somewhat or Not Useful
Data from Q30 Why do you say that?
86
Specific Information Seen or Heard
Based to those who recalled seeing or hearing
information about HOV Lanes.
Data from Q28 What did you see or hear?
87
Most Helpful Source of Information
Based to those who recalled seeing or hearing
information about HOV Lanes.
Data from Q31 Still thinking about all of the
information you may have seen or heard about use
of the HOV lanes, which one source of information
has been most helpful to you?
88
Why Information Most Helpful
Data from Q32 Why do you say that?
89
Conclusions and Implications
90
Conclusions and Implications

• Conclusion Commuters on I-95 and I-395 are more
  likely than commuters on DTR and I-66 to select
  transportation alternatives that allow them to
  utilize the HOV lanes. In particular, they are
  more likely to commute in pre-arranged carpools
  with two or more others, to commute in informal
  carpools (slugs) and to commute in vanpools. In
  addition, these HOV users on I-395 and I-95 are
  more likely to work for the federal government
  and are more likely to work for employers that
  support HOV through incentive programs.
  Additionally, they are often commuting farther
  distances than non HOV users and are realizing
  greater time savings by using the HOV lanes.
• Implication When numerous conditions that
  support or encourage usage of the HOV lanes come
  together or coalesce, the greater the
  likelihood that commuters will select a
  transportation alternative that allows them to
  use the HOV lanes. It may be that one of these
  factors acting alone e.g., distance traveled,
  time savings may be sufficient to increase the
  likelihood for using the HOV lanes. The combined
  effect of several factors, however, could bring
  the likelihood even higher. Explore ways of
  combining messages and incentives for using the
  HOV lanes to increase the likelihood of selecting
  a transportation option that allows the use of
  the HOV lanes.

91
Conclusions and Implications

• Conclusion Commuters choose to HOV because it
  saves them time. When asked directly, in an
  open-ended question, why they use the HOV lanes,
  nearly 6 out of every 10 HOV users said that they
  HOV because it saves them time. No other answer
  was mentioned with this degree of frequency.
  Commuters also indicated that avoiding traffic
  congestion (11) and heavy traffic (7) and not
  having to drive (5) were important reasons for
  using the HOV lanes. Together, these reasons
  were more important than cost savings (11).
• Implication Commuters have heard and responded
  to the message that the HOV lanes will allow them
  to save time on their commute. These commuters
  may be the easiest to convert and receptive to
  the saving time message. While this message
  may continue to convert additional commuters to
  HOV lane usage, it may be that future converts to
  HOV usage may respond better to other messages.
  These messages may include concepts related to
  less traffic congestion and reducing stress.
  Explore how new messages or messages in addition
  to save time can be used to persuade commuters
  to use the HOV lanes.

92
Conclusions and Implications

• Conclusion Commuters who do not use the HOV
  lanes have slightly different perceptions of the
  lanes particularly in terms of benefits than
  do those who use the HOV lanes. Those who do not
  use the HOV lanes are less likely to believe that
  HOV lanes get commuters to their destinations
  faster, that they lower transportation costs,
  that they move more people in fewer vehicles,
  that they improve air quality, that they relieve
  traffic congestion, and that the HOV lanes are
  safer.
• Implication Commuters who do not use the HOV
  lanes have resisted belief in the benefits of the
  HOV lanes or have resisted the messages about
  the benefits of the HOV lanes. Explore ways of
  making the benefits of using the HOV lanes more
  persuasive. Assess the extent to which emotional
  rather than rational messages or some
  combination of both emotional and rational can
  be used to convince additional commuters in
  Northern Virginia to use the HOV lanes. For
  example, a message about time savings save 15
  minutes on your commute tends to be rational.
  Develop ways to communicate this message in more
  emotional ways.

93
Conclusions and Implications

• Conclusion In general, commuters do not believe
  that the HOV lanes are enforced regularly. Only
  41 of those who do not use the HOV lanes and 37
  of those who do HOV believe that the lanes are
  enforced regularly.
• Implication Lack of perceived enforcement of
  the HOV lanes may lead commuters to believe that
  the lanes not supported by VDOT or legal
  authorities and, hence, not important. This
  perception could prevent adoption of
  transportation that would allow usage of the HOV
  lanes. Lack of enforcement may also convince non
  users that not using the HOV lanes is justified
  because it allows them to rationalize their
  decision not to HOV. As long as those who do not
  use the HOV lanes believe that the restrictions
  are not enforced, they will be difficult to
  convert to transportation options that allow them
  to use the HOV lanes.

94
Conclusions and Implications

• Conclusion There is no clear understanding
  among commuters about the penalty for violation
  of HOV restrictions. One-third of commuters
  (34) said simply that they did not know what the
  penalty is. Non HOV users are slightly more
  likely to indicate that they do not know what the
  penalty is. Some commuters believe there is a
  fine or ticket for violation, but do not know the
  amount. Others think the fine ranges from 25 to
  500.
• There is support for more strict enforcement of
  the HOV lanes, particularly among those who
  already use the HOV lanes. Nearly three-fourths
  (72) of current HOV users believe the lanes
  should be enforced more fully. Six out of ten
  (59) commuters who do not currently use the HOV
  lanes also support more strict enforcement of the
  lanes.
• Implication In order for penalties for
  violation of the lanes to be effective to
  attract more qualified users and discourage
  illegal usage commuters must know that there
  are penalties for violation, what the penalties
  are, and that they are enforced. Consider a
  campaign or specific messages that communicate
  the penalties for HOV lane violation. Since
  there is already support for more strict
  enforcement of the lanes, a message clarifying or
  reiterating the penalties would be welcomed by
  many.

95
Conclusions and Implications

• Conclusion Commuters who do not use the HOV
  lanes are aware of the lanes. Approximately 98
  of all commuters who do not use the HOV lanes
  currently are aware of the lanes. However, not
  all non HOV users are familiar with the lanes.
  Only about 75 of the non users said that they
  are familiar with the HOV lanes in terms of
  knowing the hours of operation and the location
  of the exits and entrances.
• Implication Lack of awareness is not preventing
  usage of the HOV lanes. Lack of understanding
  and hence lack of comfort and ease of usage may
  be preventing usage of the HOV lanes. An
  important role of communications is education.
  Explore ways to educate commuters about the HOV
  lanes in ways that make the lanes seem easy to
  use and increase the commuters comfort with
  using the HOV lanes.

96
Conclusions and Implications

• Conclusion The most frequent reason given for
  not using the HOV lanes is that commuters do not
  know of anyone going my way. Over one-fourth
  (28) of commuters who do not use the HOV lanes
  said that they do not HOV because they know of no
  one going the same way.
• Implication Communications should not neglect
  the importance of a message about the
  availability of resources to help commuters find
  other commuters who might HOV with them.
  Emphasize the ease and speed with which these
  services can be used.

97
Conclusions and Implications

• Conclusion Among commuters who currently SOV,
  there is interest in commuting in a carpool or
  vanpool for a monetary incentive. Nearly
  one-fourth (22) of commuters would be likely to
  carpool if paid .50 a day. Commuters on I-95
  are most interested in carpooling under these
  conditions. Twenty-nine percent (29) of this
  group would be likely to carpool if paid .50 a
  day. Slightly fewer, 19, would be likely to
  vanpool if paid .50 per day. Commuters on I-95
  (27) are also more likely to respond to this
  .50 incentive to vanpool than commuters on DTR,
  I-395 or I-66.
• Implication Potentially, nearly one-fourth of
  SOV commuters could be converted to carpooling or
  vanpooling with monetary incentives. Recognize
  that not all who say they will carpool or vanpool
  actually will. Explore ways to best convert
  these potential HOV commuters to actual HOV
  commuters through optimal messages and
  operational logistics (e.g., how money is paid).
  Start with SOV commuters on I-95 where the
  potential is greatest.

98
Conclusions and Implications

• Conclusion HOV users (68) are more likely than
  non HOV users (52) to be aware that there is a
  Park-n-Ride lot convenient for them to use. This
  pattern holds constant across all corridors in
  Northern Virginia DTR, I-95, I-395, and I-66.
• Implication The awareness of the availability
  of Park-n-Ride lots is positively related to
  usage of the HOV lanes. It is important to have
  Park-n-Ride lots conveniently available, and it
  is important for commuters to be aware of and
  familiar with Park-n-Ride lots. Continue to
  inform commuters about Park-n-Ride lots,
  including raising awareness and understanding of
  the lots.

99
Conclusions and Implications

• Conclusion Currently, about 20 of commuters
  telework whether they also HOV or not. Among
  those who do not currently HOV or telework, there
  is interest in teleworking in the future. Those
  who currently do not use the HOV lanes are
  significantly more likely to say that they will
  telework in the future than are those who
  currently use the HOV lanes, 47 likelihood among
  non HOV users and 32 likelihood among HOV users.
• Implication Multiple solutions are necessary to
  ease traffic congestion in Northern Virginia.
  Some non HOV users may never HOV. Nevertheless,
  they might opt to telework. Some current non HOV
  users may chose to both telework and HOV. Find
  ways to target messages about the opportunity and
  process of teleworking to current non HOV users.
  Develop finely tuned messages to convert these
  commuters who are already interested in
  teleworking.

100
Conclusions and Implications

• Conclusion Commuters on DTR, I-95, I-395, and
  I-66 are aware of and rely on multiple sources of
  information for help in navigating through the
  traffic of Northern Virginia. They are most
  aware of television news reports, radio news
  reports and newspaper articles. They also rate
  these sources of information about HOV lanes to
  be most helpful primarily because these sources
  keep them updated and provide traffic reports.
  Although fewer commuters are aware of the HOV
  website, it receives highly favorable ratings in
  terms of the usefulness of the information
  provided by the site.
• Implication Continue to use multiple media to
  reach commuters in Northern Virginia, layering
  media vehicles and messages to achieve maximum
  effectiveness. Explore ways to raise the level
  of awareness of the website a particularly
  effective way to communicate with the
  internet-savvy commuters of Northern Virginia.