Vanpooling

In 2002, COG conducted a survey to analyze current vanpooling practices in the Washington, DC region. The evaluation consisted of a mail-out and fax-back survey sent to vanpool operators and drivers, followed by a telephone survey of drivers who did not respond to the mail survey. The following conclusions were drawn based on the results of this survey.

As shown in Figure 44, the large majority of vanpools % originate in Virginia with more than % of the region’s vanpoolers residing in Stafford and Prince William Counties.

Figure 44:  Vanpool Distribution in the D.C.

Metropolitan Area by Origin Jurisdiction

Only the counties of highest origin are listed
Source:    Draft 2002 COG/TPB Vanpool Driver Survey, September 1, 2002
Note:       Data available pending final approval of the COG/TPB.

Source:    Draft 2002 COG/TPB Vanpool Driver Survey, September 1, 2002.

Note:       Data available pending final approval of the COG/TPB.

   The majority of respondents said their vanpools use an HOV lane during their morning commute to work; however, the use of the lanes is unevenly distributed between the two primary states, Virginia and Maryland. As Figure 46 indicates, % of vanpools that originate in Virginia use an HOV lane, compared to only % of the vanpools that originate in Maryland. This is likely due in part to the greater availability of HOV lanes in Virginia compared to Maryland, as well as the distribution of trip origins and destinations within Virginia and Maryland.

    Figure 47 shows as many as 5,000 average weekday passenger trips using vans from one major vanpool leasing firm.  In addition, several private commuter bus firms serve Northern Virginia’s major commuting corridors and many rely on the HOV lanes.  As many as 2,000 additional average weekday passenger trips are provided by these bus companies.