Extension of HOV to 6:30pm

I agree that would we should at least petition VDOT to at least try extending the HOV time to 6:30 -- at least for a month just to get an updated study.

When I moved to Stafford in Dec. of 1998, it wasn't nearly as populated and built up as it is now.

Mr. Lantz said in his e-mail that, "The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has since looked into the potential impacts of extending the hours and determined that person movement on the HOV lanes during that one-half hour would decrease and congestion in the general-purpose lanes would increase." Okay, I can care less about the traffic in the regular lanes. I have chosen to use slugging or carpooling and because I have chosen to do so, I will reap the privilege of using the HOV lanes. If people in the regular lanes remain stubborn about carpooling or using mass transit or picking up slugs, then let them rot in their cars! That shouldn't be OUR problem.

Maybe if we take that approach with VDOT, maybe, just maybe they might let us try it out for a month in 2002 -- not 1971 or 1987!

It doesn't hurt to try it out!

And, if VDOT doesn't want to do anything about it then we could go over their heads. VDOT has been a thorn in my side since the mountains of snow fiasco at the Rt. 610 lot a couple of winters ago where they piled mountains of snow across several parking spaces and when people had to park illegally, the tow trucks were out there towing people and fining them. SO LET'S KEEP AFTER VDOT!

Dina


Edited by - dkerley on 01 Oct 2002 11:49:08

I think there will be many supporters. I think it would be a good idea if we could get the Webmaster to post something regarding this topic on the main page to increase visibility.

Any other ideas?

I posted this message on September 12. To tell you the truth, I was kind of dissapointed about the response he gave me. As you guys recently mentioned, a peticion would be in order. However, I would not like to think this will reach deaf ears.


"I lodged my complaint with Mr. Epton too. He addressed to K. E. Lantz, Jr., P. E. Transportation Planning Engineer, and this is what I got today by email:


" Thank you for your recent e-mail regarding the HOV lanes on I-95 in Northern Virginia.


The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) conducted a study that looked at the potential impacts of changing the HOV hours of operation, including extending the PM restricted period from 6:00 to 6:30. The study determined that anticipated volumes on the HOV lanes during that half hour would decrease significantly. While the study did show that the extended hours could cause some commuters to switch to transit, there was no indication that they would switch from driving alone to carpooling in order to enjoy the travel time savings.


Changes to the HOV operations must be seriously considered and done so only when proven to help conditions. VDOT continues to monitor the HOV facility to determine its effectiveness in reducing congestion and meeting commuters’ needs.


We are aware of concerns involving violators on the HOV lanes. The State Police provide roving patrols as well as stationary enforcement on the ramps. Given available resources, the HOV facilities are well patrolled, but unfortunately, growing demands on the State Police have reduced the number of officers that can be dedicated to HOV enforcement. I will forward your e-mail to Colonel W. Gerald Massengill, Virginia State Police Superintendent, so that he will also be aware of your concerns.


Thank you again for taking time to share your ideas and concerns with us.

Sincerely,

K. E. Lantz, Jr., P. E.
Transportation Planning Engineer"

quote:

---

not everyone agrees that the hours should be extended.

---

Apparently you get off work at 4pm or something great like that! But for people who actually work downtown Washington, and have to drive everyday from Fredericksburg(boy I love that), and have to fight city traffic, not to mention inclement weather (when it occurs) to boot, can not make it to the Pentagon or other slug pickup spots in a reasonable amount of time to even take advantage of the HOV. You are thinking selfishly. You probably don't even have to worry about people getting on the HOV at 5:50pm, because you're already home. And further more, who's everyone? Like I said before, the ones who get to leave their jobs by 4 or 4:30pm.

quote:

---

I really dont think that the hours need to be extended. However, enforcing the current hours will fit the problem of congestion. People feel that if they get on the HOV lanes before the 6 am deadline they are fine to continue all the way to DC. Same thing holds for going south opn 95. People get on up to 20 minutes before the 6 pm deadline and there never seems to be highway partol cars available to enforce the law. Think of all the $'s lost in that one that could be applied to extending the HOV lanes.

---

...of course, depending on where they get on, they may not be able to get off until the Pentagon--the law is that if you are non-HOV and don't have an exemption (e.g., a CF license plate), you have to get off at the next exit. If someone times it so as to pass Springfield before 6:00, he gets a free pass to the Pentagon--it's illegal to ticket him because he was in there legally and there was nowhere to exit.