NEWINGTON, Conn -- A state study has found that the high-occupancy vehicle lanes on Connecticut highways aren't being used as much as transportation officials have expected.
The study shows that the 39 miles of H-O-V lanes in the Hartford region are at least 50 percent under-utilized during peak traffic periods.
The state Department of Transportation is seeking federal permission and funding for a study of allowing single-person vehicles to use the lanes if they pay a toll.
High-occupancy vehicle lanes are supposed to be used only by vehicles carrying two or more people.
H-O-V lanes were built on Interstate 84 and Interstate 384 east of Hartford as part of a general upgrading of those highways that was completed in 1989. Additional H-O-V lanes were added o improve Interstate 91 north of Hartford, and those lanes opened up in 1993.