Enhancement of Freeway Management and Economical Advantages by Use of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV)

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) is an effective method to manage urban freeways. Only vehicles with high occupants are eligible to use them. These type of freeways have special capabilities that enforce us to know them and try to implement this type of freeway management in our country. There are several types of HOVs lanes which have different capacities which characterize them to special situations. The Shahid Hemat freeway was studied in this research to evaluate the effectiveness of implementation of HOV policy in it. Implementation of the HOV policy in this freeway could result in lower traffic jam and travel duration as well as the economic benefits. This research evaluated the benefits of the methods to to upgrading this freeway including widening the freeway and implementing the HOV policy on it. Then the main benefits of implementing the HOV policy in this freeway include effect on less fuel consumption, less vehicle using in the road and social budget of them as well as the environmental benefits were evaluated. We hope this research motivate the urban authorities to focus on HOV policy as an effective toll in urban freeways management.