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Why do carpool lanes have different markings in different counties?

April 28, 2026

Q: Chris Smith of Highland asked why San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties have different lane markings for their carpool lanes. San Bernardino County uses dash lines and Los Angeles County uses solid lines with openings every so often for exiting the freeway or the high-occupancy vehicle, or HOV, lane.

“My guess is these are two different Caltrans districts, but shouldn’t all districts have the same lane marking standards in the state?” Smith asked.

A: Caltrans is organized into 12 districts around the state. District 8 covers San Bernardino and Riverside counties and District 7 covers Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Monica Ruvalcaba, a spokesperson for Caltrans District 7, explained the variations of carpool lane striping.

“HOV lanes use either solid or dashed buffer striping to provide different levels of access. Solid striping limits where drivers can enter and exit, allowing access only at designated locations. Dashed striping allows more continuous entry and exit along the corridor. While there are statewide standards, the type of striping used can vary based on traffic conditions, safety considerations, and how the lane is intended to operate,” she said.

“Why does Los Angeles County use solid lines with limited openings?” Ruvalcaba said solid striping is used to create controlled access to the carpool lane. This reduces frequent weaving in and out of the lanes, enhancing safety and keeping the carpool lanes moving faster than general traffic lanes. Solid lines help maintain a more consistent traffic flow. “In addition, it makes violations more visible and easier to enforce,” she said.

Controlled access is more common in Los Angeles County, she said, because of high traffic volumes, higher violation rates, and “the need to minimize impacts to HOV lane performance.” This approach helps the that traffic move faster (which is the intent of these lanes) by reducing disruptions and keeping traffic moving more efficiently, she said.

The use of dashed lines everywhere, like in San Bernardino County, is more appropriate based on San Bernardino County traffic behavior and safety needs, she said.

“In areas with lower traffic volumes, more flexible access may work well. However, in higher-volume areas, more control is often needed to keep the lane operating safely and effectively,” Ruvalcaba said.

Calling all local artists

Local artists have a unique opportunity to have their work put on display along the 19-mile West Valley Connector Bus Rapid Transit route being built in the cities of Pomona, Ontario, Montclair and Rancho Cucamonga. The artwork will be displayed on utility boxes at 33 locations along the route.

The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority and its partner cities are seeking artwork from local artists to help deter graffiti, also to celebrate each city and the region.

Artists have until May 13 to submit their interest and qualifications to a review panel. The art can come from a single artist or a team.

To apply, submit a resume; professional references; a letter of interest including qualifications, relevant experience, interest in the project and a general approach to the project; and eight JPEG format images of previous work with detailed descriptions of each image. This opportunity is open to people living in San Bernardino, Riverside or Los Angeles counties.

After the deadline, applications will be reviewed and a group of artists will be selected to develop and submit concepts for the utility box designs. The program should wrap up in late August with the submission of final artwork designs.

Visit https://www.gosbcta.com or artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=17112 for more details.

Do you commute to work in the Inland Empire? Spend a lot of time in your vehicle? Have questions about driving, freeways, toll roads or parking? If so, write or call On the Road and we’ll try to answer your questions. Please include your question or issue, name, city of residence, phone number and email address. Write ontheroad@scng.com or call 951-368-9995. Note that we may use material from letters or phone calls in future columns.

Orange County Register

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Why do carpool lanes have different markings in different counties?

Calling all local artists

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