A reserved lane has operated on the new jersey approaches to the George Washington Bridge providing a time savings for buses and carpools in the peak a.m. commuter hours since october 1986. In addition to Interstate 95, the bridge provides access to Manhattan for much of north-eastern New Jersey for six other major routes all of which converge within a mile of the bridge. This report reviews operational data for the first 12 months of the operation. Included are carpool, bus, and violator trends and enforcement activities. Also presented are long-term trends, a review of the potential for further preferential treatments, and some observations pertinent to measuring operational "success." The following conclusions have been reached. The reserved lane has achieved its operating goals. The presence of the bus-carpool lane has had a favourable effect on carpool formation. Continued daily presence of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) police should be adequate for effective enforcement. The eligibility of motorcycles for reserved lane use is not well understood. Added promotional efforts by the PANYNJ are in order. Operational data contained in this report should be used to review the possibility of opening a local-access toll booth for carpools only.
Abstract