Optimal starting location of an HOV lane for a linear monocentric urban area

This paper analyzes the optimal starting location of a high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lane for a linear monocentric urban area. Both travel time and carpooling costs are taken into account. The research proposes an analytical framework for the case with a continuum demand distribution along a highway corridor. The objective is assumed to maximize social welfare of the transportation system, which is the difference between the total user benefit and travel cost. Numerical analysis via simulation experiments was conducted to seek the existence of an optimal solution. Based on the results of a sensitivity analysis, we find a specific relationship between the carpooling cost and the optimal design of the starting point of an HOV lane.