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Bob
Moderator
766 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Nov 2003 : 08:45:38
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This morning (Nov 12)the commute was terrible again. My driver did not have the radio on and I didn't hear what happened. I think the problem is the non-HOV pre- 6am rush. If anything goes wrong it fouls the entire morning commute for the HOV. Something is going to have to be done eventually. I am thinking that we are almost at the point of shifting the am HOV to 5:30. And end the hybrid exemption sooner rather than later. I am about ready to fire off some more emails.
Bob |
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sancochojoe
Junior Member
38 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2003 : 08:59:43
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| here we go again, Blaming Hybrids |
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tondalea
Average Member
79 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2003 : 09:37:36
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| I think the evening and morning hours should be extended. I also noticed a lot of cheaters. |
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JustWannaGetHome
New Member
16 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2003 : 10:09:17
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| I'm sorry, but something HAS to change! I'm so tired of calling my boss from the congested HOV lanes telling her I'm stuck in traffic again! I'm lucky if I can get to work on time two days out of the week. I've been slugging to Rosslyn from Horner for over five years, and it's never been this consistently horrible...rain or shine! The only explanation is the Hybrids, it's true! Of course those that have Hybrids are going to deny it, they bought the car to get on HOV free. I'm so tired of this environment reasoning...it's hurting the environment, look at the congestion NOW! Something has to be done, can we all afford to go through this headache of a communte everyday on HOV lanes??? It's the HOV lanes, not the CF lanes! |
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Bob
Moderator
766 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2003 : 10:18:59
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Hybrids are a factor, but anyone who has followed my posts on this knows that my concern there is for 2-3 years out, but if we dont get a policy handle on it now it could get terrible. I think the majority of the current problem relates to a massive amount of singles trying to beat the 6 am deadline. This is combined with much higher volumes in the HOV lanes in the 6-7 am period. There is no margin for problems any more. (Let's add some HOT lanes here!)
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mroyal
Senior Member Member
204 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2003 : 10:41:22
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I agree with you Bob. There are many contributing factors to days when the traffic is snarled and hybrids are still a relatively minor factor.
A lot of times, the problem that caused the backup is cleared long before we get to the scene. Any hickup can cause a massive slow down regardless of which lane it occurs in.
I don't see any miracle solution to that, unless you can teach people to drive and not rubberneck.
Kindest Regards,
mroyal |
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Connie
New Member
13 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2003 : 10:49:58
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The bottom line is that in the past month, the HOV lanes have become a nightmare commute. I've heard several culprits - backups from early morning that drag on, downtown flooding and yes, even Hybrids. I have certainly observed more CF license plates in the lanes and while some might argue they are not the problem, they WILL become the problem as more and more are purchased. While some want the exemption continued because they bought the Hybrid to take the HOV lanes and get to work faster, I could argue that I and others bought our homes where we did because we could carpool via the HOV lanes and get to work faster. Therefore, I too am interested in protecting my investment and I believe that everyone benefits when the HOV system addresses congestion as it was originally intended. I've read that some people are sending emails - to who? And about what specifically? |
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3ForHOV
Junior Member
44 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2003 : 11:32:02
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"I have certainly observed more CF license plates in the lanes and while some might argue they are not the problem, they WILL become the problem as more and more are purchased. While some want the exemption continued because they bought the Hybrid to take the HOV lanes and get to work faster, I could argue that I and others bought our homes where we did because we could carpool via the HOV lanes and get to work faster. Therefore, I too am interested in protecting my investment and I believe that everyone benefits when the HOV system addresses congestion as it was originally intended."
This has got to be the best comeback to the single rider hybrid owners I've read. Because of the HOV lanes, this is why we bought a house in Woodbridge. I'll be damned if I have to get up any earlier just to get to work. The HOV lanes are a big quality of life issue for me.
Unfortunately, no one has a solution -- not even the politicians. For instance, when Toddy Puller was asked if she knew of a way to ease congestion, her reply was, "I don't know." At least she was honest about it!!! |
Edited by - 3ForHOV on 12 Nov 2003 11:38:16 |
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MDC
Moderator
631 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2003 : 11:44:58
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I left Potomac Mills around 7:30 this morning, and got to Rosslyn at 8:30. The slow traffic was from Lorton, to Glebe, then normal from there on. Not even a backup on Washington Blvd. There was not an accident, or any unusual distraction at any point. The traffic reports on the radio didn't report anything other than the slow traffic.
I didn't count, but I saw about a dozen different "CF" plates during the trip including the one that mocks "HOV".
All I can say is that a year ago, this didn't happen. The only thing that's changed since then is the number of vehicles with excemptions to HOV has more than doubled. |
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KCWolfPck
Senior Member Member
166 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2003 : 12:01:30
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Well....more and more people are moving down south. This is leading to more and more people carpooling. Thus more and more people in the HOV. It's not just hybrids....it is just more people moving into the area....PERIOD!
I just read a study that said at the current population growth rate, that 5 minutes would be added to our commute every four months for the next 3 years. So if you think it's bad now....just wait. It's only going to get worse. It has steadily been deteriorating over the last decade. |
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sancochojoe
Junior Member
38 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2003 : 12:11:57
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| Thats the same argument I had on another post. More People are moving South. PERIOD!!! And not one person that complains about hybrids want to admit or recognize thats the case. Look around, all those new homes being built at an incredible rate. You don't think they are commuting. The slug line at 610 between 5 and 5:30 will have almost 20 people waiting. That was unheard of several months ago. |
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vabigblue
Advanced Member
338 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2003 : 12:20:08
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quote:
[i]Originally posted by Connie[/i]
[br]The bottom line is that in the past month, the HOV lanes have become a nightmare commute.I've heard several culprits - backups from early morning that drag on, downtown flooding and yes, even Hybrids. I have certainly observed more CF license plates in the lanes and while some might argue they are not the problem, they WILL become the problem as more and more are purchased. While some want the exemption continued because they bought the Hybrid to take the HOV lanes and get to work faster, I could argue that I and others bought our homes where we did because we could carpool via the HOV lanes and get to work faster. Therefore, I too am interested in protecting my investmentand I believe that everyone benefits when the HOV system addresses congestion as it was originally intended. I've read that some people are sending emails - to who? And about what specifically?
Well said Connie. Hybrids are not only a "minor" part of the problem, they are a "major" part and will be as long as they're permitted to drive in the HOV lanes. HOV lanes are for multiple (3 or more) riders only, or that's what I am led to believe. |
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3ForHOV
Junior Member
44 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2003 : 12:33:10
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quote:
[i]Originally posted by KCWolfPck[/i]
[br]Well....more and more people are moving down south. This is leading to more and more people carpooling. Thus more and more people in the HOV. It's not just hybrids....it is just more people moving into the area....PERIOD!
I just read a study that said at the current population growth rate, that 5 minutes would be added to our commute every four months for the next 3 years. So if you think it's bad now....just wait. It's only going to get worse. It has steadily been deteriorating over the last decade.
It seems like right after Hurricane Isabel, traffic has been horrific day and night!!! It's even worse when it's drizzling rain!!!
I can't see blaming the traffic doubling over the last month and half on people moving down south. Most have to get the feel of the area and get settled first before finding the commuter lots, directions, etc. I see way more Hybrids than I see cheaters on my daily commute day and night. |
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KCWolfPck
Senior Member Member
166 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2003 : 12:45:16
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I don't get it that people blame hybrids. Note: I do not drive a hybrid...I carpool. I used to drive myself in the single lanes. That got to be unbearable so I started carpooling. I'm sure there are MANY others like myself who just couldn't take the drive anymore and started finding ways to use the HOV.
Now....out of the thousands of cars that use the HOV...how many do you think are hybrids??? I'd guess 100-200 at the MOST are in the lanes at any given time and I think that's a high estimate. That is a small fraction of the cars.
Think back several months. Adding 200 cars to the HOV lanes would be inconsequential. It might mean that you woulda had to pass an extra car or two...but whoopie. These backups that go from the beltway to 14th street are not caused by just 200 cars I promise you. Sure...they don't help the situation...but they certainly don't cause them.
The straight fact is that more people are on the HOV. It is cause by more people moving south, former single drivers that finally started carpooling or slugging, and hybrids. In my opinion.....I think the hybrid is the least significant of the 3. |
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Arbo
Senior Member Member
210 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2003 : 13:03:40
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Acording to news reports over the last several months, there were several thousand hybrids bought in the DC metro area over the last 12 months alone. The most popular reasons given for purchase: HOV exemption and environment. I'd estimate about 5-10% of the cars I see in the HOV-3 during HOV hours are hybrids, almost all with only 1 person in a car with 4 doors. While Hybrids are not the only reason for the congestion, they are one cause that is very easy to fix - just get rid of their exception status.
Like Connie said, I bought a house in Stafford because of the "affordable" price and the fact that slugging the HOV allowed me to get to work in less than an hour. |
Edited by - Arbo on 12 Nov 2003 13:04:18 |
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Connie
New Member
13 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2003 : 13:09:35
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I agree that a large problem is increased population. However, I think that it's within the increased population that the Hybrid use can grow. If people bought their homes near the HOV in order to carpool and get to work faster, it stands to reason that some may choose to move further south and purchase Hybrids to both get more affordable housing and a better commute. Hybrids don't have to wait in line and pick up slugs or park and ride so they have the quickest commute - get in your car and go. That's a very attractive option and more people will take advantage of it. If 300 HOV commuters are added to a population area and carpool, that's 100 cars - for every one of those people who choose to drive a Hybrid, that 100 goes up.
Perhaps not a significant problem now, but as Bob and others have observed, give it a year or two. HOV should be for vehicles that carry more than one person, plain and simple. (That goes for law enforcement officers not on duty - if they are commuting, they should have to follow the same rules we do.) If exemptions are going to be granted for single riders for who they are or what they drive, then change the name of the roads from HOV so there's no misperception on who the road is for. |
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Continued awful trips on HOV
