Section 9: Exclusive Lanes

Authority

Under
Chapter 224, Subchapter F
, of the Texas Transportation Code, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has the authority to construct or designate exclusive lanes such as high occupancy vehicle (HOV) or managed lanes on the state highway system provided that proper traffic control devices are installed to ensure compliance with the lane designations. TxDOT may also enter into agreements with an outside entity to design, construct, operate, or maintain exclusive lanes. Exclusive lanes are intended to decrease traffic congestion, improve air quality, improve safety, and enhance the use of existing highways.

Guidance

Exclusive lanes may only be used when:
  • there are two or more lanes adjacent to the proposed exclusive lane for the use of other vehicles; or
  • there is a multi-lane facility adjacent to the proposed exclusive lane for the use of other vehicles.
A toll may be charged for the use of the exclusive lane if:
  • the lanes or multi-lane facility adjacent to the exclusive lanes are also tolled; or
  • a vehicle authorized to use the tolled exclusive lane is authorized to use non-tolled adjacent lanes or an adjacent non-tolled multi-lane facility.
Chapter 2G
of the
Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
 (TMUTCD) provides guidance on the design of exclusive lane signing.