What Gives at 234?

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   RLD, emancilla: Right now, the express lanes are rarely congested, and easily move 25 - 35 mph faster than the regular lanes. Somehow, traffic needs to move from the regular lanes to the express lanes to balance the congestion, and the expiration of the hybrid exemption is a move in exactly the wrong direction. The next best way to balance the flow is through the use of tolls, raising or lowering them until the "right" balance is achieved.

	I'd prefer to see the hybrid exemption extended, but if not, bring on the tolls! 

	Of course, another way is to go back to pre-1974, and make the express lanes for buses only. Everyone then pays their fair share to commute, and those who want to go fast, can just hop on the bus.

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NoSUV Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote NoSUV Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 Sep 2005 at 12:28pm
	RLD, emancilla: Right now, the express lanes are rarely congested, and easily move 25 - 35 mph faster than the regular lanes. Somehow, traffic needs to move from the regular lanes to the express lanes to balance the congestion, and the expiration of the hybrid exemption is a move in exactly the wrong direction. The next best way to balance the flow is through the use of tolls, raising or lowering them until the "right" balance is achieved. I'd prefer to see the hybrid exemption extended, but if not, bring on the tolls! Of course, another way is to go back to pre-1974, and make the express lanes for buses only. Everyone then pays their fair share to commute, and those who want to go fast, can just hop on the bus.

NoSUV Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote NoSUV Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Sep 2005 at 7:19am
	RLD: I'm sure you probably understand microeconomics, but I'll use extreme examples of supply and demand to make it easier for others. Let's say that the total cost of the toll per trip is a penny. Under those circumstances, there is no advantage or disadvantage to taking the express lanes. Now assume the total cost of the toll per trip is one hundred dollars (Sponge, that's twice what you offered half a year ago). Under those circumstances, very few are in the express lanes. In between those amounts is where the control lies to manage the flow. Currently, the express lanes move about 25-35 mph faster than the regular lanes (just look to your right during the commute). The management of the toll can change that speed difference to zero, 65 mph, or 10 mph. A couple of questions for you: = how is the flow managed today? Wouldn't you say that it is really unmanaged? = how many buses going into DC do you think should stop by your commuter lot once the tolls start

NoSUV Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote NoSUV Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Sep 2005 at 8:45am
	RLD - what congestion?