| Overview and Perspectives |
| Providing Services to the “HOVs”
and “HOV-Nots” |
| By George Walton, Baltimore, MD, 1-410-385-4143,
walton@pbworld.com |
| Several sources of up-to-date information about
HOVs are available to the PB staff. |
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PB has become synonymous with high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane
planning, design, operations and implementation. We have participated
at some level in 85 percent of this country’s HOV projects and
have some of the world’s most experienced HOV professionals.
Not everyone knows this, however, YET!
How is the message getting out? Well there are several ways. First
and foremost is word of mouth. PB relies heavily on our own staff
getting the message out to existing and future clients about our capabilities.
Second is through print media—PB published a new HOV marketing
brochure recently to incorporate the advancement of HOVs as well as
PBs capabilities. This brochure introduces a change in our HOV marketing
strategy and elaborates on PBs expanded skill base.
Primary
Markets
There are two primary markets and one conglomeration market. The first
target group can be called the “HOVs.” These are transportation
departments that have already implemented HOV lanes in some form.
The goal for this potential client is to meet the needs of upgrading
and/or maintaining the effectiveness of their HOV lane(s) or system.
Relative issues include changing occupancy requirements, applying
tolls (“HOT” lanes, or high occupancy toll lanes), evaluating
overall effectiveness and evaluating enforcement effectiveness.
The second target group is the “HOV-Nots.” These are the
transportation departments that have not implemented HOV lanes. This
client needs a little of everything. All project development phases
need to be addressed including planning, design, construction, operations
and evaluation.
The last group is a mixture of both. The target here is to provide
the client with “one stop shopping.” In many cases the
HOV work is imbedded in a larger study or project. Included here is
the concept of intelligent transportation infrastructure (ITI). We
need to remind the client that PB can respond to multiple needs.
Available Information for PB Staff
In addition to the marketing brochure, information for all PB employees
is available through the HOV-PAN. Information on HOVs is currently
posted on the wide-area network in the public folders and is available
on PB’s web site, www.pbworld.com.
Other PB tools already in use and quickly available include: HOV Interactive
CD-ROM; HOV Facilities – A Planning, Design, and Operational
Manual; Freeway Management Strategies; and, A Comprehensive Planning
and Design Manual for Park-and-Ride Facilities. You may also call
any of the HOV folks listed in the “yellow pages.” They
will be glad to assist you as well. |
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