The HOV-3 to HOV-2 Suggestion |
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sluDgE
Master Slug Joined: 27 Oct 2003 Status: Offline Points: 501 |
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Posted: 01 Sep 2006 at 10:34am |
In the hybrid message board thread a poster made the suggestion to change I-95/395 from HOV-3 to HOV-2 to help alleviate regular lane congestion.
As a toss-up: Does anyone know why Virginia's I-95/395 HOV law changed from HOV-4 to HOV-3 in the early 90's? Is there any historical information about the Commonwealth's rationale for that change? Was it because I-95/395 HOV was underutilized when 4 people were required in a car, or was it some other reason? Also, why did the other Virginia HOV lanes in the DC area (I-66) and Tidewater area (I-64/264) start as HOV-2 and still remain HOV-2? Can we handle the truth? What's your thought on the HOV-2 recommendation? |
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Bob
New Slug Joined: 14 Dec 2001 Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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Did some research. It went to HOV3 in 1989.
There was only HOV north of springfield at that time. It wasnt until 1991 that the "diamond lanes" opened and in 1995-97 the full isolated lanes went to Dale City area. I'm pretty sure that in 1989, the section of HOV north of springfield was quite a bit under-utilized, and vanpools made up a lot of it. Slugging was going pretty strond and I guess carpools put some pressure on to get the change to HOV3. One thing a lot of people don't realize with HOV-4 is that a regular carpool has a hard time with it, and back in the old days, a lot of carpools had 5 members to make things work when someone was out. from http://www.roadstothefuture.com/Shirley_Highway.html The establishment of the reversible 2-lane busway/HOV roadway system on Shirley Highway followed this sequence: The concept originated in 1964, was implemented in 1969 as the first exclusive bus facility on a U.S. urban freeway, and was completed from Springfield to downtown D.C. in 1971 albeit via a temporary one-lane roadway through the reconstruction of the northernmost several miles of the highway in Arlington. On December 10, 1973, automobiles with four or more occupants (HOV-4) were permitted access to the previously exclusive bus lanes at a few selected access points. In July 1975, the 10-year-long staged reconstruction and expansion of Shirley Highway was completed, and the full 2-lane express reversible roadway was completed, and the express traffic uses the 4-lane (2 lanes each way) center bridge of the 14th Street Bridge to cross the Potomac River into and out of the District of Columbia. In January 1989, HOV-3 went into effect on I-395/I-95. In June 1989, construction began on the 19-mile-long extension of the reversible 2-lane HOV roadway from Springfield to Quantico Creek. In December 1991, interim concurrent flow HOV lanes opened on six miles of I-95 shoulders, from US-1 to VA-644, with 18 emergency pulloffs available for motorists. In June 1992, the Franconia/Springfield Parkway opened to traffic, giving HOV/busway vehicles direct access between the I-95 HOV lanes and the Parkway. In September 1992, motorcycles were given legal access to all HOV facilities in Virginia. In November 1994, the reversible HOV roadway was extended from Springfield to one mile south of Newington. In June 1995, the reversible HOV roadway was extended to Occoquan. In January 1996, the reversible HOV roadway was extended to Optiz Blvd. In June 1997, the reversible HOV roadway was extended to south of VA-234. Thirty miles of 2-lane reversible HOV roadway now exists on I-95 and I-395 between south of VA-234 in Prince William County, and 14th Street and the Southwest Freeway in Washington, D.C. |
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sluDgE
Master Slug Joined: 27 Oct 2003 Status: Offline Points: 501 |
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Thanks, Bob.
Good info for all of us to know. I-95/395 HOV use has evolved over the years while other HOV use in Va has been HOV-2 from the get-go. It was interesting to see that ALL hybrids (those with the old and those with the new post-July 06 plates) can use the HOV-2 lanes on I-66 and I-64/264. So, in that way, the I-95/395 lanes are getting some congestion relief from additional SOV hybrid use by the law not allowing HOV-3 use by SOV hybrids with the new plates. |
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colossus911
New Slug Joined: 19 May 2006 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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NO!!! I would urge a strong no to dropping the limit. Would really hurt slugging, think of all the drivers would would only take one! The traffic in the main lanes is slow cause those people dont use their options. They CHOOSE to drive in slow lanes when they could slug, metro, bus or any other half dozen ways to work (I am sure someone boats up teh potomac from stafford everyday).
I think 3 is great, would be better if the otehr highways wend HOV-3. It pushes creative solutions for traffic, like slugging, or carpools. We shouldn't change it but expand it. |
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shelbybrynn
New Slug Joined: 18 Sep 2002 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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I agree with Colossus on this one. They need to keep it HOV-3 and they need to make the hybrids adhere to the same rules as everyone else. The point is to get as many cars off the road as you possibly can.
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NoSUV
New Slug Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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But the express lanes on I-395 are NOT congested, and the regular lanes are!
Did everyone see the incentives other localities are using such as reduced parking? Unfortunately, that decreases revenue and becomes an indirect tax increase for others. Hybrid exemption doesn't cost taxpayers and needs to be extended - clearly better for the environment than non-hybrid vehicles, and the more non-taxpayer incentives there are, the better. |
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N_or_S_bound
New Slug Joined: 20 May 2005 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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One more time....
More cars congesting roads isn't "clearly better for the environment". Less cars of all types, flowing smoothly, IS clearly better for the environment. And for those who are into "income redistribution" (as clearly hybrid buyers are), go socialist! NoSb SOV because you can, HOV because you care! |
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shelbybrynn
New Slug Joined: 18 Sep 2002 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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NoSUV,
You are clearly only concerned about the hybrid exemption because you own one. Surely, you are not suggesting that the HOV lanes are not congested. Of course there are times when it is LESS congested, but there are still plenty of backups on the HOV on a regular basis. The reason for this, the huge increase in hybrid vehicles (gotta credit the lack of law enforcement for the violators on this one too). I love the hybrid technology as it is more fuel efficient, but the real goal we should be trying attain, is to get more cars off the roads. The only way to achieve this is to promote mass transit, and slugging. You are hurting yourself in the long run if you SOV'it as you are really just making your commute, and everyone else's longer. |
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slugjo
New Slug Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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Once again, I observe all you others engaging NoSUV in futile discussion after he, once again, demonstrates that he is arguing from a position of ignorance and denial and is unable to evaluate the validity of his own argument. Ignorance: he only uses a few miles of the express lanes between Edsall Road and DC, and never experiences the express lane clogs between Potomac Mills and Springfield or at the southbound merge at Dumfries. Denial: he won't admit that traffic congestion is the problem of main concern on this forum or that congestion is a greater contributor to fuel consumption and emissions than drive system design.
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getmehome pweeze
Master Slug Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 501 |
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YES- a SMART newbie!! Welcome slugjo.
GMHP was hea! |
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