High-occupancy vehicle (HOV)

High-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes are designated roadway lanes reserved for vehicles with multiple passengers, such as carpools, vanpools, buses, and sometimes motorcycles. The purpose is to encourage carpooling, reduce traffic congestion, and lower pollution by incentivizing sharing rides. HOV lanes typically allow faster travel during peak hours and are marked with signage. They help optimize existing road capacity by promoting more efficient use of vehicles on busy routes, resulting in shorter commutes for those who carpool or use public transit.