Continuous Access Carpool Lanes

Continuous Access: Improving Carpool Lanes

 In May 2007, OCTA began operating the Garden Grove Freeway (SR-22) Continuous Access Carpool Lanes.  A first in Southern California, the lanes span approximately 12 miles across the heart of Orange County, from the City of Orange to the City of Garden Grove.

 

 

Easy In, Easy Out 
Designed and operated much like general-purpose lanes, the SR-22 Continuous Access Carpool Lanes make carpooling easier and more inviting to use.  With continuous access, carpoolers have more time to safely access the carpool lanes.  There is no need to feel rushed or pressured to cross several lanes of traffic in a limited amount of time and distance or risk missing the carpool lanes altogether.  Similarly, carpoolers enjoy greater freedom to safely exit at any point. If the carpool driver needs to reach different destinations or there is a change in plans along the way, the driver can exit when it is safe to do so.  

 

 

Evaluating for Possible Expansion

Over the next year, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will conduct an evaluation of the SR-22 Continuous Access Carpool Lanes. Recently, the University of California completed a study that found that continuous access carpool lanes, which have operated in Northern California for years, are often safer than limited access carpool lanes.  In the meantime, the OCTA will continue to work with both elected and transportation officials in an effort to identify opportunities to expand continuous access to other Orange County freeways.