Sec. 224.151. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Congestion" means the level at which transportation system performance is no longer acceptable because of traffic interference. The level of acceptable system performance may vary by type of transportation facility, geographic location, or time of day.

(2) "Congestion mitigation" means projects and facilities used to reduce congestion by promoting the use of carpools and vanpools, improve air quality, conserve fuel, and enhance the use of existing highways and facilities on the state highway system.

(3) "High occupancy vehicle" means a bus or other motorized passenger vehicle such as a carpool or vanpool vehicle used for ridesharing purposes and occupied by a specified minimum number of persons.

(4) "High occupancy vehicle lane" means one or more lanes of a highway or an entire highway where high occupancy vehicles are given at all times, or at regularly scheduled times, a priority or preference over some or all other vehicles moving in the general stream of all highway traffic.

(5) "Motor vehicle" has the meaning assigned by Section 522.003.

(6) "Transportation corporation" means a transportation corporation created by the state under Chapter 431.

(7) "Exclusive lane" means a lane of a highway or segment of a highway the use of which is restricted to one or more designated classifications of motor vehicle.

(8) "Low-emissions vehicle" means a vehicle that meets emissions standards established by commission rule.

(9) "Restricted lane" includes:

(A) a high occupancy vehicle lane;

(B) a toll lane under Section 228.007; and

(C) an exclusive lane.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1171, Sec. 1.24, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1049, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 281 (H.B. 2702), Sec. 2.22, eff. June 14, 2005.

Sec. 224.152. PURPOSE. (a) Subject to the availability of state and federal funds, it is the intent of the legislature to further the purposes of the United States Congress as expressed in 23 U.S.C. Sections 134, 135, 146, and 149 and in Section 1012(b) of Pub. L. No. 102-240, as amended, to improve safety, conserve fuel, decrease traffic congestion during rush hours, improve air quality, develop innovative techniques to finance transportation projects, and enhance the use of existing highways and facilities.

(b) The legislature declares that it is necessary, to further the purposes described by Subsection (a), to provide for the participation of the department, including the expenditure of available funds by the department, in projects and facilities for the purpose of congestion mitigation.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1171, Sec. 1.24, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1049, Sec. 2, eff. June 20, 2003.