HOT lanes |
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USA
New Slug Joined: 06 Jun 2002 Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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Posted: 01 Jun 2004 at 1:21pm |
quote: The writer of the article is confused. The $64 million was for preliminary work on Phase VIII of the Springfield Interchange, which would involve direct HOV (or HOT) ramps connecting the I-95/395 express lanes to proposed HOV (or HOT) lanes on the Beltway--in other words, no more needing to exit at Landmark or near Newington in order to get to the Beltway (and no need to take the local lanes in order to connect from the Beltway). The HOT project might still go forward even without those ramps, although it would seem to render enforcement more difficult. The reason Phase VIII was originally dropped from the main Springfield Interchange project is that VDOT decided to defer it until (and unless) HOV/HOT lanes are built on the Beltway. |
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Bob
New Slug Joined: 14 Dec 2001 Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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'HOT Lanes' Could Be On Chopping Block Monday May 31, 2004 3:45pm Richmond (AP) - The Virginia Department of Transportation has flagged $602 million in highway projects that could be eliminated from the state's six-year construction plan, which takes effect July 1. "Obviously, with the need to cut $1.3 billion in funding for the six years, additional reductions will need to be made," warned VDOT Chief Financial Officer Barbara W. Reese. Among spending reductions being considered: $64 million to start work on high-occupancy vehicle lanes linking interstates 95 and 395 and the Capital Beltway through the Springfield Interchange in Fairfax County (website - news) . http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0504/150358.html |
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dietzf
New Slug Joined: 27 May 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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quote: OK, guys, here's the deal: At the Transportation Advisory Board meeting last night, we discussed the HOT lanes concept. Most were in favor of HOT lanes as long as they are NEW lanes, built with private funds. No one is in favor of taking existing lanes and converting them to HOT lanes, especially not the HOV lanes. What we plan to do: I have the responsibility for two things: One, find the document I'm told exists where Fairfax County has come out in favor of converting the HOV lanes to HOT lanes. I've not seen this, but have read (and others have read)that it exists. Two, I have to draw up a plan of action for discussion at our next meeting, which will be June 24. The TAB has no real authority except what we take for ourselves. What I mean by that is, we can be proactive if we want, and as long as the Board of Supervisors doesn't tell us to cool it, we can continue. We're as effective as we try to be, basically. Our job is to bring transportation issues to the attention of the Board, which we do. HOT lanes is one of those issues. What we plan to do is a little more research, get someone from VDOT in to talk about what plans they already have, and then write a report for submittal to the Board with a recommendation on what we would like to see done. My personal view is that the I-95 HOV lanes have been, bar none, the most successful in the nation. The HOV lanes have contributed greatly to the growth of our County, both for better and for worse, and it is highly, highly unlikely that those lanes would ever be converted to HOT lanes. Having said that, however, it is something that we need to be prepared for, which is why we're working on it. Happy HOV-ing! And have a great and safe holiday weekend. |
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JiggaJynx
New Slug Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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dietzf,
Please do tell us the results of last night's meeting. How much sway does the TAB hold with state budget folks? |
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dietzf
New Slug Joined: 27 May 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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As a slug myself, I definitely agree that we need to organize against HOT lanes. Right now, it seems they are considering them for the Beltway, but it's only a matter of time before they look toward the HOV lanes as possible HOT lanes, and that's what we have to stop.
I am a member of the Prince William County Transportation Advisory Board, as an appointed member from Occoquan District. We meet every month, and our May meeting is tonight. The HOT lane concept is on the agenda and I plan to speak to my fellow Board members about it. My initial goal is to get the TAB to write a letter to the PW County Board of Supervisors, with a request that they issue a resolution to our state legislators, the Governor, and VDOT. We can't stop there, but at least that will get us on record. We will then have to enlist the help of Stafford and Spotsylvania Counties, which also would be adversely impacted by HOT lanes. Fairfax County is, of course, in favor of HOT lanes because they rarely use HOV, but are plenty wealthy enough to use HOT lanes. We are going to have to band together, as users of HOV, on this and other issues, such as hybrids (that's a topic for another day). I'll post back tomorrow (if I remember) and let you know what by fellow Board members think. Francis |
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dietzf
New Slug Joined: 27 May 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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Fogle
New Slug Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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I stumbled over this forum while searching for information on VA HOT Lanes. Let me acknowledge up front that I work in the transporation field and am very familiar with HOT Lanes and other forms of pricing. However, I do vanpool to work on a regular basis and have been a huge slug fan for many years.
I found many of your comments whether pro or con on HOT lanes to be quite informative. The purpose of this post is to let you know where you can obtain additional information about Value Pricing and specifically HOT Lanes. If you are going to form an opinion, you should at least have all the facts. First things first...My personal opinion in regards to whether HOT Lanes would be good for the I-95/I-395 corridor are wishy-washy. As the facility currently operates, it already breaks down when you get close to DC. Therefore, it would seem that the application of HOT lanes would not be warranted because HOT Lanes are designed to help where HOV Lanes are not working well (does not carry more people than the parallel SOV lanes). You probably know of places where it does not work. A few years ago when I attended a Public meeting regarding HOT Lanes in the corridor, many users suggested that the occupancy be bumped back up to HOV-4. If the occupancy went to HOV-4, there might be extra room on the facility, maybe not. At this time, I think everybody should be raving about the success of HOV usage in the I-95/I-395 corridor and making sure that the money COG spends to evaluate the facility every year also includes a public relations piece that touts its success. The other missing element is improved enforcement... If you have ever been to CA you know that first time violators receive a $270 fine for HOV violations and points on their license. At this time, in comparison you need to look at the VA HOV policy and ask yourself whether it is really effective. Enough said... Go to www.valuepricing.org to obtain information regarding Pricing and HOT Lanes. There is plenty of data to confirm that HOT Lanes are effective in relieving congestion. In San Diego, people want the lanes extended. It is not all about the money either. The funds generated pay for express bus service on the fast lanes. You can also to the FHWA website and look under policy studies to find the value pricing website. Good Luck. I think you guys are awesome. |
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JiggaJynx
New Slug Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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The VDOT website (www.virginiadot.org) has a link to HOT information in the upper left corner of page. The link "Power Point presentation" includes a graphic of the proposed HOT lanes. They extend on I-495 from the Springfield interchange to at least the Dulles toll road. There is possibly extension to Rt. 193, with HOV lanes continuing to the Potomac. Also, there is a proposed optional extension from Springfield to the Wilson Bridge, but the I-95/395 corridor is not considered for HOT in the proposal. That doesn't mean it won't be in the future.
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USA
New Slug Joined: 06 Jun 2002 Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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quote:You CAN use Metrocheks to pay for parking at Metrorail stations if you immediately put the Metrochek onto a SmarTrip card. Plus this lets you use the SmarTrip express lane--i.e., cash not accepted, much like the E-ZPass Only lanes at tollbooths. |
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tlschau
New Slug Joined: 23 Jul 2002 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0 |
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JiggaJynx, I'm not sure about the compensation packages at some places, but I'm almost sure that the use of Metrochecks would not be approved for use to pay for HOT lanes. There are many things that Metrochecks cannot pay for now, like parking. But hopefully none of this will matter as long as our beloved HOV lanes are not affected by any HOT lanes plans.
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