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[thenetwork]

This question came to mind after watching a first-season episode of "CHiPs".

During some of the freeway-riding scenes every so often, they show the CHP motorcycle officers buzzing through actual traffic on open freeways (not sure if it was the actual actors, stunt doubles or actual CHP'ers since the shots were on a side-mounted camera following the lead cycle). 

I noticed on one of the scenes "somewhere in LA" that there was a Diamond-3 HOV lane that was open only to vehicles with 3 or more occupants. 

The Q's I have:

1)  How long did 3+ or 4+ passenger HOV lanes last in So. CA? I assume that all 3+ HOV lanes have since been reduced to 2+ passenger lanes and motorcycle due to the lack of qualified vehicles at the time.

2)  Is/Was there anywhere else in the US where there has/had 3+ or 4+ HOV lanes for passenger cars? And how long did those last before they were eliminated or lowered to 2+ passenger vehicles?
 

[corco]

The HOV lanes on the Washington SR 520 from just east of I-405 to I-90 were 3+ last time I drove through there in late 2008, so I'd suspect they still are. I thought that was pretty odd.

I think they're 3+ on either BC-99 from Delta into downtown Vancouver BC or the TC-1 from Surrey into Vancouver BC

[myosh_tino]

Not sure about Southern California but up here in Northern California, I think all S.F. Bay Area freeways that have carpool lanes are 2+ except on I-80/Eastshore Freeway where, due to congestion in the HOV lane, it was raised to 3+ several years ago.  If I'm not mistaken, the HOV lanes at the bay area bridges are also 3+ because these carpoolers get to cross the bridges toll-free.

[citrus]

I think there's still some HOV-3 on I-10 east of downtown L.A.

[SSOWorld]

I-80 in the Bay Area (Bayshore Freeway) has 3+ HOV.

[Alps]

I thought that there were variable-person HOVs in one city - I don't remember if it was Atlanta, DC, San Fran, or somewhere else.  It would be 2+ during some hours but could vary to 3+ or even 4+ as the lane became more congested.  Thing is, I came across this in 2005 doing ITS thesis research, so I do not know if it's still done anywhere or if it was just a suggestion as opposed to actual practice...

[BigMattFromTexas]

In my opinion 3+ or 4+ would make more sense than 2+ because almost anyone could use the HOV lane with 2 people in their car...
 BigMatt

[froggie]

In my opinion 3+ or 4+ would make more sense than 2+ because almost anyone could use the HOV lane with 2 people in their car...

However, experience shows that the vast majority of vehicles during commuting hours are single-occupancy vehicles...

[myosh_tino]

I-80 in the Bay Area (Bayshore Freeway) has 3+ HOV.

Ummm... that would be the Eastshore Freeway.   The Bayshore Freeway is U.S. 101 as it runs up the westside of the bay.
Also, thanks for confirming that I-80's HOV lanes are 3+.  I thought it was but wasn't sure.

[SSOWorld]

I-80 in the Bay Area (Bayshore Freeway) has 3+ HOV.

Ummm... that would be the Eastshore Freeway.   The Bayshore Freeway is U.S. 101 as it runs up the westside of the bay.
Also, thanks for confirming that I-80's HOV lanes are 3+.  I thought it was but wasn't sure.

Well ok so my memory is screwed up

Thanks for correcting