Recent AM 95N Congestion--What's gives?

Response to my complaint from WTOP. They are incorrect about the recorded satellite traffic reports, btw.


Thanks for taking the time to write. We have a satellite radio set up
right outside the studio where Bob Marbourg does his traffic reports.
We do frequent A to B comparisons to see what they have versus what we
have. What we have learned is that their traffic reports are
pre-recorded and played over and over. Ours are always live with the
latest information. I've written to Dr. Gridlock at the Washington Post
to suggest he do a side-by-side comparison between WTOP traffic reports
and those from the satellite. I am convinced that an independent
outside party would tell you and me and everybody else that our
information is more reliable. We have access to more traffic cameras,
helicopters, airplanes and mobile units than they do. In addition, we
have something they don't: thousands of loyal WTOP listeners who call us
to report traffic tie-ups. If you are interested, the numbers are:
On Verizon # 1500
On Cingular * 1500
all others (202) 895 5047
Whether you choose to call us or not, I'm sure you'll listen to traffic
reports both on WTOP and on your paid service. I'd love to hear back
about your experiences whether you think we are better or not. Thanks
again for writing and thanks for listening to WTOP Radio.

Roadrunner,
Don't understand why you can't pick up WTOP in the DC area. They broadcast on 4 different frequencies 107.7 FM, 104.3 FM, 1500 AM,
and 820 AM (WXTR) -- and their coverage map at their website shows at least one of those freqs covers an area from Pennsyvania to about Richmond and from West Va to beyond the Eastern Shore.

Agree with some of the postings above that it seems whenever there's some sort of back-up on I-95/I-395 in Va and we're trying to get some info, the WTOP traffic reporters seem likely to be reporting on Maryland traffic. t Hope they don't do that intentionally. Good that someone pointed out 101.5 as a good alternative for Va traffic reports. Keep on sluggin'! [:)]

My satellite radio traffic channel is better than WTOP, and its only supposed to serve DC. WTOP didn't broadcast about the HOV delays and the "Rumble strip" until we were less than 1/4 mile from it. I find them useless.

I've found that 101.5 gives excellent traffic reports. This morning they commented on the backups on the HOV, and the specific points at which both HOV and the regular lanes backed up. They even said that the HOV backups were due to unpaved road.

quote:

---

Originally posted by SlugBuddy
[br]Depending on how much the police are seen to be enforcing sometimes determines how many cheaters will chance it on the HOV. I've also heard that the hybrids are selling like hotcakes due to the HOV exemption. Have you counted how many cheaters and how many hybrids you've seen on the HOV lately? Have you noticed a lack of enforcement lately? If you want to do something you can:

1) Contact the state police and complain about the lack of enforcement
Bud Cox
Management Analyst
Virginia State Police
804-674-2127
bcox@vsp.state.va.us

and/or

2) Write to your legislators and ask them to pull the HOV exemption for the hybrids

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Hey-I wrote: Check it out-

-----Original Message-----
From: XXX@XXX.com
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2004 12:30 PM
To: bcox@vsp.state.va.us
Subject: HOV Enforcement Northern, VA


Mr. Cox, I would like to make an observation regarding enforcement of HOV
rules during the morning rush hour from Woodbridge to the DC Area:

Enforcement should be increased. This morning I noticed THREE police
vehicles parked side by side on one of the off ramps that goes unused when
the HOV is northbound--the occupants laughing & talking with one another
rather than enforcing the HOV rules. I was thoroughly disgusted.

XXXXXX XXXXX
703-XXX-XXXX

Dear Ms. XXX:

Lieutenant Colonel E.A. Stockton, Director of the Bureau of Field Operations
for the Virginia State Police asked that I thank you for and respond to your
e-mail of November 1, 2004 concerning HOV enforcement.

I regret your displeasure with the State Police regarding HOV enforcement
from Woodbridge to Washington, D.C.

I am forwarding your e-mail to Captain G.M. Counts, Division Commander at
our Headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia asking that he have a supervisor
review this matter to ensure all policies and procedures were followed and
to take appropriate corrective action.

Thank you for bringing this incident to our attention.

Bud Cox
Business Manager
Virginia State Police
804-674-2127
bcox@vsp.state.va.us


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