High-occupancy vehicle lanes.

Existing law provides for the Department of Transportation and local authorities, with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions, to authorize or permit exclusive or preferential use of highway lanes for high-occupancy vehicles (HOVs) . Existing law authorizes the development and implementation of high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes under limited circumstances, pursuant to which vehicles that do not meet the vehicle occupancy requirements for use of an HOV lane may use the lane upon payment of a toll. This bill would provide that a vehicle that meets the applicable occupancy level for a high-occupancy vehicle for use of an HOV lane, including a HOT lane, shall not be charged a toll. The bill would also provide that an increase in the vehicle occupancy level for an HOV lane may only be implemented if the department determines that the change will maximize person throughput with respect to the affected highway. The bill would require the department to obtain the approval of the applicable transportation planning agency and report to the Legislature before implementing the change.