Update on HOT Lanes

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   I thought I would create a new thread on HOT lanes since I do have some information that I think would be of interest.

	There are two bills in Richmond that I know of at this time.  One of them  is designed to set up enforcement and fines, etc for future HOT lanes (HB151).  The other one which has passed a committee vote is to establish funding mechanisms for new statewide road construction (HB117).  It includes funding mechanisms using tolls from HOT lanes.

	I corresponded with Delegate Lingamfelter about what has been going on. I had thoroughly searched the VDOT website and could not find anything new on the HOT proposal for 95.

	In a nutshell, the Beltway HOT proposal is moving along, as far as I can tell.  The 95 proposal is still just an unsolicited proposal.  I discussed my strong concerns with this proposal, in that it would be a nightmare for current HOV users.  Mr. Lingamfelter was very nice and said that our concerns do need to be considered.  Right know, as you may know, the legislators are  involved in an intense budget battle.

	One other note. I have sent some emails to transit agencies, including Metro to see where they stand. To me it is obvious that they should be against it for 95.

	Bob

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Bob Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Dec 2001 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Update on HOT Lanes Posted: 19 Feb 2004 at 2:36pm
	I thought I would create a new thread on HOT lanes since I do have some information that I think would be of interest. There are two bills in Richmond that I know of at this time. One of them is designed to set up enforcement and fines, etc for future HOT lanes (HB151). The other one which has passed a committee vote is to establish funding mechanisms for new statewide road construction (HB117). It includes funding mechanisms using tolls from HOT lanes. I corresponded with Delegate Lingamfelter about what has been going on. I had thoroughly searched the VDOT website and could not find anything new on the HOT proposal for 95. In a nutshell, the Beltway HOT proposal is moving along, as far as I can tell. The 95 proposal is still just an unsolicited proposal. I discussed my strong concerns with this proposal, in that it would be a nightmare for current HOV users. Mr. Lingamfelter was very nice and said that our concerns do need to be considered. Right know, as you may know, the legislators are involved in an intense budget battle. One other note. I have sent some emails to transit agencies, including Metro to see where they stand. To me it is obvious that they should be against it for 95. Bob

jojobean Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 16 Dec 2003 Location: DC Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote jojobean Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Feb 2004 at 8:45am
	Thanks for doing the leg work and getting the info. I agree that HOT lanes would result in more gridlock.

tdar20 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 29 Jul 2002 Location: va Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote tdar20 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Feb 2004 at 10:46am
	I dont think we can say just yet that it will result in more grid lock. I would like to see more information on this before I condemn it to failure. We definitely need extensions to the HOV lanes past Fredericksburg and it looks like there is no movement there by the VDOT. Something has to be done to fix the issue where the HOV lanes merge near Quantico! Gets worse with each passing week and is almost unbearable during the summer!

LJD Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote LJD Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Feb 2004 at 1:56pm
	I'm still unsure about HOT. We need additional capacity, but I don't think the Flour (?) proposal addresses everything. First, what is the "optimum" speed to allow single entry into HOT/V? Is 55mph ok? What about 35? Having toll booths at each entry could be a good thing if every car is monitored for HOV3 or toll. If it's simply an EZ Pass system, enforcement would be a nightmare.

Max_28756 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Location: Va Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Max_28756 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Feb 2004 at 2:20pm
	Commuters in this area can afford to pay a toll and will if it means getting to work quicker. Here's the problem; instead of 3 regular and 2 HOV lanes, we will now have 5 regular (gridlock) lanes. It will look like the HOV at 3pm. Slugging as we know it will end.

wdossel Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 02 Jan 2002 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote wdossel Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Feb 2004 at 2:51pm
	quote: Originally posted by LJD [br]I'm still unsure about HOT. We need additional capacity, but I don't think the Flour (?) proposal addresses everything. First, what is the "optimum" speed to allow single entry into HOT/V? Is 55mph ok? What about 35? Having toll booths at each entry could be a good thing if every car is monitored for HOV3 or toll. If it's simply an EZ Pass system, enforcement would be a nightmare. You will still have gridlock/backup in the transition from the 3 lane HOV/HOT to the two lane HOV inside the beltway. My understanding is that it is cost prohibitive to expand the I395 HOV to 3 lanes using the safety standards employed on the I-95 HOV. One study from 1999 that examined going to HOV2 outside the beltway indicated that avg speeds would drop to around 25-20 mph from the Rte 1/Occ. area up to the beltway (Level of Service of E to F) during the height of the morning commute by 2010. Granted, that was with the existent 2-lane system and the HOT proposes 3-lanes, but I still think the net effect (more SOV cars clogging 3 lanes) under the HOT-scheme would be the same... - Will

Halscomputer Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Halscomputer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Mar 2004 at 8:36am
	I-95 Hot Lanes Unsolicited PPTA Proposals http://www.virginiadot.org/business/ppta-I-95HotLanes.asp Capital Beltway High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes http://www.virginiadot.org/business/ppta-defaultHOTLANESCapitalBeltway.asp Hal

Bob Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Dec 2001 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Mar 2004 at 1:12pm
	I just spent a half hour on this proposal and it is mind-boggling. Here is the story with just one aspect - the enforcment of HOV. When this thing is operational, ALL users will have to have a smart tag. This includes carpools, slugpools. You go through the entrance point and it reads your smart tag and license plate. If you carpool or pick up slugs, you would have to be registered as a "car pool." Then, they need to enforce the HOV part. So what they mention is that they are going to make the HOV users line up in a special restricted lane, so that the cops can look inside your car. This is while all the Lexus's are whizzing past you. (That's the way I interpret it). They also say that they eventually want to implement and automated HOV enforcement with cameras, but that they realize that privacy issues are involved, in that there would be someone zooming in on your car with a telephoto lens. Separately, there is not one mention of the fact that the 14th street bridge is the choke point. Restriping for 3 lanes wont change that. Also, I read the other day that in California, the HOT started out as free to carpools and then later they starting charging one-half toll. Bob

dixeedog Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote dixeedog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Mar 2004 at 6:13pm
	Lets just face it. :( If HOT lanes get approved then it will be the end of Slugging as we know it. But really why wouldn't a state senator in Richmond approve the HOT idea. Free roads and the only people there are going to offend is the 50,000 or so people that use the HOV lanes. (that number is on the Slug-Lines.com web site) HELLO..... we are the minority. Some state senator from Roanoke isn't going to care about slugging in Northern VA when it comes down to state budgets and the condition of the state's road system. So enjoy it now. In ten years this whole "slug" thing will be but a memory. Plus the sky is falling and Soylent Green is Peolpe.

Bob Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Dec 2001 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Apr 2004 at 8:40am
	New Beltway HOT lanes article on Channel 7 site: http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0404/136733.html