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Mr. Bill ![]() New Slug ![]() Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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quote: Maybe at $50 each way more people will want to slug because by paying $0 they are saving $100 a day [:o)] |
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SpongeBob ![]() New Slug ![]() Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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There won't be any slugging because, as both Clark and Fluor admit, they have no mechanism for free or even reduced use of the Toll Roads by HOV's.
In other words, everyone will pay, no more vanpools, no more carpools, no more slugging. That's the market for you. Fair to the well-off. |
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Mr. Bill ![]() New Slug ![]() Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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quote: No that is a misrepresentation of their position. That is not the way it was presented at WSHS, there will be a way for HOV to enter--the problem may be if you have a HOT tag you may still get charged. Fluor said that they will need to watch those enterances lane because that will have violators. |
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Bob ![]() New Slug ![]() Joined: 14 Dec 2001 Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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Anyone who thinks HOV will remain free under HOT is naive, in my opinion. There are no guarantees, and in CA they proved exactly what will happen - everyone will eventually pay.
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SpongeBob ![]() New Slug ![]() Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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Mr. Bill, Bob is right: there is NO METHOD available, now or in the future, to allow highway "managers" to gauge the number of bodies in a vehicle and allow an HOV-3 into the toll road for free.
We've been over this ground a thousand times educating and re-educating newbies on the problems with the toll road proposals from Clark and Fluor. What we need is a FAQ on this site that addresses the basics of the differences between HOV and toll roads. BTW, it is no misrepresentation. Have you read the Fluor proposal? I have, and it clearly states: "All vehicles using the BRT/HOT Lanes would be required to have a Smart Tag/E-ZPass account. Tolling will be based on the vehicle classification below: • SOV/HOV (2) – Variable Rate Toll • HOV (3+) – Free • Buses – Free • Emergency Vehicles – Free" BUT, it then goes on to say: "HOV (3+) users will be required to open an account and use a tag in the same way as customers who pay the tolls similar to the SR-91 system. In the case of the HOV customers, their tag will be identified within the system as an HOV user when they enter through the HOV lane and the transaction will be identified as non-revenue. In addition to providing the only practical way to accommodate free usage for HOVs, this will increase the number of holders of transponders which will benefit all projects with Smart Tag capability." Now, please tell me how a Smart Tag reader can tell how many people are in the car? It can't! And what about times when you are driving solo? Do you need to have a non-HOV Smart Tag, too? Look, this whole unsolicited proposal from Fluor is a boondoggle. The proposed solutions are so drastic, and the permanent changes to our highway system so risky, it would take a fool (or someone with some money at stake,) to think Toll Roads are a good idea. |
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beachhead ![]() New Slug ![]() Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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Spongy,
There is no doubt you are correct. The whole idea of Smart Tags is nonsense. Are the tags going to use some kind of heat sensor or forward-looking infra-red radar to count the number of people in the car with the tag and transmit that to the receivers at the entrances to HOT/HOV? Either they put toll boths at the entrances with live toll-takers who can wave through HOV-3 cars or charge partial tolls for HOV-2, or they set up an automated system that will just charge everybody the same. Guess which option your political representatives will choose. Would it be the one supported by commercial interests with a big enough stake in the system's success to funnel campaign contributions in the direction of our elected officials? |
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NoSUV ![]() New Slug ![]() Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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Following from US Congressman Tom Davis:
Thank you for contacting me regarding hybrid vehicles on the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. I appreciate hearing from you on this issue and I apologize for the delay in my response. As you may be aware, the Virginia Department of Transportation released an HOV Task Force Report in January which addresses this issue. Virginia Code 46.2-749.3 authorizes the issuance of clean special fuel license plates to qualifying vehicles. Vehicles registered with these plates are exempt from the HOV occupancy requirements until July 1, 2006. The report states that although they are legally exempt, these clean fuel vehicles add to the low occupancy traffic volume in HOV lanes and are a major contributor to the eroding performance of the HOV lanes on I-95. Recent traffic counts indicate that clean special fuel vehicles, most of which are hybrid vehicles, comprise up to 19% of the volumes on the I-95 HOV lanes in the morning HOV restricted period. Several recommendations are offered in the report, including ending the exemption for hybrids before its scheduled expiration July 1, 2006, requiring them to carry at least one passenger, restricting their use to certain times or capping their use at its current level. At the federal level, I have supported measures to give states leeway to allow hybrids an HOV exemption. That said, I believe states should closely monitor the situation so that HOV lanes are not rendered useless due to an over abundance of single-occupant hybrids. Ultimately, this is a decision state leaders must make. Again, thank you for contacting me. Please feel free to contact me again in the future on matters of importance to you. Sincerely, Tom Davis Member of Congress |
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Max_28756 ![]() New Slug ![]() Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Location: Va Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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Wow! That was typical political double speak. He answered without an answer. I do see he supports the HOV turning into the Hybrid Only Vehicles (HOV) lanes. As more and more manufacturers produce hybrids, we will see the HOV turning into lanes 4 and 5 of I95. They won't need the HOT lane issue since the HOV will be clogged with hybrids. Pay a little more for a vehicle and get access to the HOV. Pay now or pay later.
On a side note: Explain to me once again how a vehicle running with regular gasoline qualifies as clean fuel. |
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