May 10, 2001

Why limit the number of HOV tags?

Q: This letter expands on one of the many faults of the High Occupancy Vehicle policy that were eloquently documented by Chris Brislawn in http://www.lanl.gov:80/orgs/pa/News/forum/letter99-263.html. Unfortunately, Brislawn's concerns have largely been ignored by management. I agree with Brislawn that the HOV spaces should be removed.

In the meantime, my car pool partner and I have been on the waiting list for an HOV tag since October 2000. Apparently, this list is very long and the rate that tags are returned is understandably low.

If individuals can show they car pool, then they should be issued an HOV tag. For those with tags, HOV spaces should then be on a first-come, first-serve basis, every morning. Instead, the current HOV policy effectively means that if you were privileged enough to obtain an HOV tag when the policy was first implemented (assuming that you were even working for the Lab and car pooling at that time), then you're guaranteed a premium parking spot for the rest of your Lab career. All you have to do is arrive a little before 8:15 a.m. every morning.

I often arrive at 8 a.m. and at best, only half of the HOV spaces are taken. Moreover, a number of the parked cars are "soloists'' (a.k.a. Brislawn's non-"team players''), who sit in their cars until 8:15 a.m. in order to avoid a ticket. Although management may admire the determination of these squatters, all of this indicates that the HOV spaces are under utilized for those who really do car pool. Bottom line: If you car pool, you should get an HOV tag.

A: Thank you for taking the time to write and share your views and suggestions for the HOV Program waiting list. There are 207 designated HOV parking spaces throughout the TA-3 area:

Three hundred HOV placards have been distributed to individuals who meet the HOV criteria to ensure complete occupancy due to training, vacation, sick, travel, etc. when individuals will not be parking in these spaces. I understand your concern regarding the "waiting list" but let me assure you that HOV placards are being returned (individuals no longer car-pooling, working at different locations, etc.). These returned placards are redistributed to the individuals on the waiting list. FWO will continue to assess the parking lot usage and will refine the program as required.

As to "soloists" parking in HOV spaces, please read the following 4/12/01, "Ask the Director" response.

Q #1: HOV Program Foolish?
I am writing to protest the foolish implementation of the HOV program.
The purpose of the HOV program is to encourage car pooling. I pick up someone at DeVargas Mall in Santa Fe and drive this person to TA-3. I drop this person off at the CMR Building and then park in the lot next to SM-2011. In so doing, I am accomplishing car pooling: I help reduce the number of personal vehicles in the TA-3 area, decrease pollution, fuel usage and traffic. This is exactly what the program's goals are. If I drop a person off about 100 yards from where I park, this does not in any way diminish the positive effects of my car pool. Yet I am "abusing" the program. This person rides in my car for 35 miles but I can't drop this person off 100 yards from where I park? This is nonsense! What possible justification is there? (Received 11/16/00)
A: Thank you for raising this issue. You are correct that your two-person car pool does help to reduce the number of cars parking at TA-3, and that is one of the goals of the HOV program. I have to agree that it doesn't seem reasonable to prohibit dropping your passenger at her or his workplace. I have complete confidence in the honesty and integrity of our employees. This is a question of conscience and judgement -- you know if your actions are in accord with the spirit of the program. I don't intend to have "parking police" count the people exiting each vehicle that parks in an HOV space. If self-regulation proves unworkable then we will look at strengthening our enforcement capabilities.

--Drusilla Price, Facility & Waste Operations (FWO) Division

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