Independence Day for Slugs NO MORE HYBRIDS

Sorry Raymond, there aren't enough riders to fill all of the hybrids. HOV is not about efficient use of vehicles anymore. It's about riding solo in cars that are purchased for a premium. I would be in favor of hybrids if they were required to have at least 3 people. Now, I'm against them entirely.

Hybrids
Killed
HOV

Hey Ray, I noticed that I may have been too abstract. I suppose that is my mistake, but it does humor and surprise me to see that the only response is of the dumbass nature from Bob (ad hominem much?). No offense Bob, but I've slugged with you (14th and NY) before way back before I bought a hybrid and you know what, you're a lot smarter than you look. You're especially non-threatening in person, it's funny to see you behave that way on a forum.

I agree with you on that point: the best long term solution is to HOV regardless. I carry passengers from time-to-time in my hybrid, so I hope this at least offsets the effect of SOV riders. Either way, that hybrid people are wanting off the HOV lane will still be there whether it has one passenger or three (if required by law).

I think the main concern for the community as a whole is the HOT conundrum, NOT hybrids.

Please observe the inherent irony Bob, I slug and drive and therefore do not discount myself from a group that complains. Either way lets not get distracted, I believe I am asking a salient question.

Here is my question to all:

Hybrid or no hybrid, HOV or HOT, it seems that the main point here is the time utility that the HOV lane provides. I don't buy into environmental concern as the main reason for owning a hybrid. It would be naive to think that time did not have a money value and I respect the fact some people are willing to exploit this SOV capability (e.g. Why do people choose to fly instead of driving?).

Furthermore, we should expect a very high influx of people into our area (that is, Northern Virginia) for many economic and government reasons (e.g. BRAC, increase of jobs, etc). What are some long-term solutions to this problem? Eliminating hybrids, motorcycles, etc as SOV vehicles will make a difference but not in the long run: the hybrid will ultimately still be used in accordance with HOV rules and regulations, people tend to own conventional vehicles as opposed to hybrids, and every highway, interstate has a limiting factor on how much traffic it can handle.

It seems that a lot of you are trying to convince each other of the principle of the matter whether it is pro-environment or a matter of "buying your way out of a problem." For all you people whether pro-hybrid or anti-hybrid, you have failed to use a more relevant buzzword: sustainability.

What are some long term solutions?

My concise logic:
Limit f(n) = M
n->infinity

where, n = number of people using HOV
f(n) is the dynamic function that represents the capacity of the HOV lane (let me know if you want to help me with this)
M = a maximum

We will at some point experience a scenario in which P>M, where P = number of HOV uses.

FINAL QUESTION: What do we do??? Long-term solutions, please.

P.S.
I noticed some math being thrown around, consider this: This could be a periodic trend and we will later experience regression to the mean. If this is true, then no legislation will solve the problem. I have done some mathematical modeling and any sort of external interference with the system will affect it short-term but not in the long-run. If anybody is experienced with this, please let me know if my assumptions (I have modelled this as a steady-state, stable, dynamic system) are incorrect.

quote:

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Originally posted by NoSUV
[br]What you know for a fact is that the vehicle gets better mileage on the highway than city/highway.

Since the variable is the city driving portion, you can logically infer that your vehicle gets better mileage on the highway than in the city.

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If only this held true in ALL vehicles which are currently in existence you might have a leg or two to stand on.

Consider viewing www.fueleconomy.gov and you might come to another conclusion from which to try to form the basis for a factually based conversation. Logical inferences break down in this case.

Another consideration is just how "highway" driving is calculated. Does this include on/off ramp accel/decel from/to refuleing points? Or is this ONLY on the highway in order to remove the small discrepancy that may be induced in the calculations by driving from your home to the "highway" in order to start your trip?

In summary, some vehicles get better fueleconomy in city driving than highway.

NoSb

SOV because you can, HOV because you care!