GET RID OF HOV !

Thanks to various writers, there have been several articles on the breakdown of the HOV lanes in Northern Virginia. Most noted what thousands of car-pooling Northern Virginia commuters already know; if you want to legally cheat HOV-3, buy a so-called hybrid. If you want to defeat HOV, you may also buy a hybrid.

The legislators may have intended well by allowing hundreds small, “clean fuel” cars onto the HOV-3. However, the hundreds have multiplied to be thousands and now include full-sized LPG fueled trucks, CNG fueled Crown Victorias, and conventionally fueled, Ford Excape SUVs. Almost to a vehicle, these run through a legal loophole and onto the HOV-3 with “room for five, while ridden by one.”

This week, we are at a critical point. Our Legislators, particularly those who chair or sit on transportation sub-committees, need to understand how bad the daily commute has become, and why HOV is critically ill. The sickness is rooted in one cause. However, we have a simple and effective cure.

The Virginia Legislators needs to excise the cancer from the HOV. They need to END ALL EXCEPTIONS THAT ALLOW SOLO DRIVERS IN THESE LANES. Overnight, we will gain a potential to move 4,000 additional commuters without putting another car on the road. Ending the exceptions will decrease overall pollution by putting multiple commuters in the existing clean fuel vehicles. It will relieve HOV congestion. Best yet, it will do this at no additional cost to the taxpayer.

quote:

---

Originally posted by NoSUV
[br]tdar20 has it right. It's not about the environment, nor is it about the time. It's all about the money. The only way to solve the congestion problem is to hit people in their wallets - HOV is a dimwitted short term fix. How do you hit people in the wallet? You can raise gas prices to the same as what they pay in Europe or Asia (about $5/gal); increase the business aspect to make it financially rewarding for businesses, including defense contractors, to telecommute or work from satellite offices; or go to some sort of even/odd license plate for using 95/66/395 lanes as we did for gas back in the 70s.

---

You can allow an exception to HOV-3 and people will buy thousands of special vehicles at $20+ K to ride alone.

They will pay if they may. They will share only if they must.

Fuller Underwood II

HOV was the "only" fix until H&H (Hot and Hybrid) became an issue. Until 2-3 years ago, we never heard of this stuff. The only ones making money out of HOV at this point is Honda and Toyota. I suspect HOV will certainly be a thing of the pass in 3 more years. It is too bad because it's always worked for me and most sluggers.

Local government has the responsibility for planning, land use, zoning, providing (or ensuring the availability of) water, sewer, schools, hospitals, emergency services and the like. Local government should provide the solution for transportation, not be the problem.

The transportation problem has everything to do with how local governments (mis)handled growth.

I remember more than one land use hearing where the developer was allowed to buy in with fewer parking spaces than called for by the floor area ratios. Objections were steamrolled or backroomed.

Why did Representative Stan Paris change HOV requirements from 4 to 3? Why aren't the ramps metered with queue jumpers for HOV? Why aren't slug lots better patrolled? Why aren't there more slug lots or more neighborhood slug parking places? Why isn't slugging advertised more?

Could it be that local government just doesn't care about slugs? Or is local government controlled by real estate interests? Or worse yet, by METRO.

I can remember real estate agents touting Prince William County as $1,000 per mile cheaper than Fairfax, but no schools, no water, no sewer, no schools.

Elected officials opted to buy in on the development and leave the home buyers holding the bag. Places that bid honest prices with amenities like water, sewer, schools, etc., were priced out of the market. But then people started to move to Fairfax, seeing the bargain it was. Sad part, they never stood up for better transportation. They bought into the idea that METRO was a good deal so someone else could ride it.

Local government was the reason for economic growth. Local government, fueled by developer's dollars promoted growth. AOL was attracted to northern Virginia by attractive taxes, roads, access to Dulles, etc. Mobil was attracted from New York by the action of local government. At the same time, AAA and other smaller employers left the area based on the same government actions. BTW, development near Mobil was by Canadian investors and has a fairly good mix of land use compared to other areas in northern Virginia.

Mobil development seemed to be to bring New York commuting habits to the boondocks. Let the execs live in Loudon County and use Dulles Access or the Greenway for a quick commute.

Local government, fueled by developer's dollars expanded Tyson's Corner to the size it is. Local government could have insisted on better transportation. Including slugs. Local government could have insisted on fewer trip generators.

Want development? Petition to get a DC ZIP code.

Why are there still so many restrictive anti-jitney laws on the books?

Presence of the Federal Government is always difficult on local governments. Ask the Arlington County Firemen that responded to the Pentagon on 9/11 and numerous other times.

Ask the residents around bases that will be closed in the BRAC process.

Ask the taxpayers in school districts that have a substantial military dependent enrollment.

quote:

---

Originally posted by tdar20
[br]"Government has a responsibility to its people. To allow a QUADRUPLING of population density without some real account for added traffic is disgracefully irresponsible. "

I am sorry....I don’t get it?? The government was the cause of this problem? Had nothing at all to do with the economic growth or the change in the military to more civilian support staff? Why do we always blame the government for what in some people's eyes as going wrong? I am sure there are many business owners grateful for the increased sales due to the influx of people. I was first stationed here in 1982 and yes there has been accelerated growth but I will say that there are also way more opportunities here also. Have to take the good with the bad. If you want slow growth and no traffic and low pay there are lots of other places to live.

---

dickboyd@aol.com