Extension of HOV to 6:30pm
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Topic: Extension of HOV to 6:30pm
Posted By: lmura
Subject: Extension of HOV to 6:30pm
Date Posted: 24 Sep 2002 at 12:16pm
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This is a letter I received in response to an email that I sent to VDOT. It looks as if they are not even going to consider the possiblity of extending the time. The next best thing to do is to send letters or emails to the Governor of Virginia and the Lt. Governor, because they are this person's boss. I was truly disappointed with their decision on this matter. We must do something as a large group. Perhaps a petition is in order. COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 1401 EAST BROAD STREET RICHMOND, 23219 PHILIP A. SHUCET K. E. LANTZ, JR. COMMISSIONER TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ENGINEER September 24, 2002 Ms. Linda A. Mura lmura@bdbc.com Dear Ms. Mura: Thank you for your recent e-mail regarding the HOV lanes on I-95/I-395 in Northern Virginia. The PM restricted period for the HOV lanes has been 3:30 to 6:00 since they were opened to carpoolers in 1971, with the exception of a one-month period in 1987 when the hours were extended to 6:30. 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. 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. VDOT continually conducts vehicle counts to determine the usage on the HOV lanes and their effectiveness in reducing congestion. VDOT uses this information to adjust operating conditions when deemed prudent. Changes to the operations must be seriously considered only when there’s evidence the change will help conditions. We are very aware that if operating conditions do not meet the needs of commuters, they will not use the facility. Thank you again for sharing your concerns with us. We strongly believe that the I-95/I-395 HOV facility is one of the most successful in the country and we would like to keep it that way. We will continue to monitor the facility and modify operations as warranted. Sincerely, K. E. Lantz, Jr., P. E. Transportation Planning Engineer cc: Mr. T. A. Farley |
Replies:
Posted By: thadzer
Date Posted: 24 Sep 2002 at 5:13pm
| not everyone agrees that the hours should be extended. |
Posted By: tdar20
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2002 at 7:43am
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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. |
Posted By: USA
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2002 at 7:58am
quote: ...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. |
Posted By: lmura
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2002 at 4:23pm
quote: |
Posted By: lmura
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2002 at 4:28pm
quote: 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. |
Posted By: tlschau
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2002 at 12:29pm
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Thanks for posting the VDOT response. However, I think it should be pointed out that this study was conducted in 1998, making it relatively outdated given the rapid population growth rates during the same time period. For example, according to Census data, Prince William's population grew almost 14 percent from 7/98 to 7/01, while Stafford's population grew over 15 percent during the same period. The data convincingly show that people are moving further and further away from where they work, thereby increasing commuting times. It only makes sense that an updated HOV schedule be implemented to keep up with population shifts and changes. Mr. K. E. Lantz, Jr. (from VOT) himself pointed out that the HOV system has remained unchanged since 1971! Maybe a petition is in order, as lmura pointed out. Edited by - tlschau on 30 Sep 2002 12:30:14 Edited by - tlschau on 30 Sep 2002 12:31:22 |
Posted By: emmancilla
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2002 at 1:33pm
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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" |
Posted By: emmancilla
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2002 at 1:53pm
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Another thing, are we ready to start a petition? and, how many of us will support this? |
Posted By: tlschau
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2002 at 4:01pm
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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? |
Posted By: Matrix
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2002 at 10:09am
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I agree that the extension should be to 6:30pm. I live in Fredericksburg and there have been days I was stuck at Rosslyn and then the Pentagon without a ride. After 6pm there is no incentive to pick up slugs and there were days I waited until 7:30pm to 8pm for a ride because I could not get a ride from Rosslyn. |
Posted By: dkerley
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2002 at 11:48am
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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 |
Posted By: emmancilla
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2002 at 2:52pm
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Dina, I agree with you. This gentleman is talking about studies that don't fit what we are actually living in reality right now. |
Posted By: Sheepish
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2002 at 2:53pm
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As someone else pointed out in another thread, morning restrictions are longer than the afternoon by a half hour. Doesn't logic tell you that if a system needs that much time in the morning, the same is needed in the evening? In my opinion, the evening commute is consistently worse than the morning (granted not by much), yet the HOV restriction time is less when it is needed the most. Also think about the extra single car traffic added to the HOV lanes during the mixing bowl construction. Did VDOT count that extra traffic congestion and its impact to valid HOV lane users in their study? I'd be willing to fight this battle to extend the time... |
Posted By: emmancilla
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2002 at 3:15pm
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Another thing that bothers me is the fact that the I-66 HOV restriction ends at 7:00pm while the I-95 ends at 6:00. How come? I assume it is the same traffic volume, maybe more on I-95. |
Posted By: tlschau
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2002 at 3:42pm
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Well said, everyone. I really don't know how this petition thing works, but obviously we will need a lot of people to get involved. One idea, as I have previously stated, would be for anyone who knows the webmaster of this site to contact him/her about posting this idea for a petition on this site's main page. I think that if we use as many modes of communication as possible that this idea would really take off as more people hear about it. |
Posted By: emmancilla
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2002 at 3:51pm
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I just found the Governor's of Virginia web site. We can send our suggestions to the following link: http://www.governor.state.va.us/Contact/email_form.html Let's go for it! |
Posted By: dkerley
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2002 at 4:27pm
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We can draft a letter addressed to the people we need to address it to, detailing our complaint and the reason why. Then, we could utilize one of those petition web sites whereas you can create a petition and then you get a link to that petition. Once you have that, then we could post the link as a new topic directing people if they are interested to sign the petition. Any other ideas? quote: Dina |
Posted By: dkerley
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2002 at 4:30pm
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OK, I found one of the petition online sites: http://www.petitiononline.com/create_petition.html - http://www.petitiononline.com/create_petition.html I am getting ready to get out of here, but I should have some time to work on this tonight when I get home. Dina |
Posted By: Sheepish
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2002 at 5:09pm
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If a specific petition is drafted and downloadable from this site, perhaps drivers/riders would consider carrying multiple copies with them to request signatures while in cars or slug lines and to distribute blank forms to others that may not utilize this site, but willing to support the cause. Of course someone to send the final copies to would need to be identified... These are just a few thoughts, but the critical piece of this would be the wording of the petition-- it needs to be carefully written-- prior to starting the process of obtaining signatures. And a request for those that don't see this time extension as necessary due to your earlier travel home times, or your view that better enforcement of violators is all that is needed. Please consider supporting those that support the slugging system and who are trying to make it better. Some people have the flexibility to work earlier hours, while others do not. And as for the cry for better enforcement, that issue is still going to be there no matter what time the restriction is lifted. |
Posted By: dkerley
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2002 at 8:58am
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I agree....we would have to get a draft going and then have lots of eyes look over this thing before putting it online. We wouldn't want to do this half-assed. It appears to me that Lmura started this so she/he should be the one to confer with as it was initially his/her idea. Dina |
Posted By: emmancilla
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2002 at 4:59pm
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Someone with new information about this topic? |