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colossus911
Senior Member Member
194 Posts |
 Posted - 12/16/2014 : 14:13:19
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So, trying to think how to start slugging past the current 6 pm time frame. Figuring that the need for drivers to get south in the HOT lanes will now last until at least 7 pm, should we focus a few PM spots as key pick ups (I.e. L'Enfant, or 14th and Penn) with the appeal to drivers who are leaving late (say 6:30) to "try a drive by" in hopes of finding people going south at that time.
Or is this just fantasy thinking? |
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DC2RV
Advanced Member
610 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2014 : 07:40:08
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Interesting idea. Over time, this may develop "organically", but for now it might make sense to identify some spots that provide easy access to the HOV/HOT lanes for drivers, but also provides a convenient backup for riders (as in someplace they can easily access Metro or other transportation options).
The Pentagon seems like a logical location to me. |
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eao
Average Member
USA
72 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2014 : 10:00:54
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| I agree that the Pentagon would be good. I was speaking with someone in line this morning; he said he will often go to the Pentagon well after 6 pm and find people waiting. I only drive one day a week, sadly it is often Friday, and would like to be able to pick up riders when I head home after 6 pm. |
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MDC
Moderator
638 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2014 : 07:48:16
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| I think that there's enough incentive for drivers, that the afternoon slugs will be able to find rides outside the times they do now at their normal locations. How far that extends will certainly depend on how the express lanes affect traffic in the main lanes. It seems logical to me that the main lanes will be considerably worse than they are currently outside the HOV window once the tolling is in effect. |
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hillnva
Starting Member
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2014 : 21:33:59
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I agree with MDC. As a driver, before the HOV/ HOT Lanes, I have gotten out of work late and did not arrive at the Pentagon/Horner Road line until 5:40PM. By 5:50PM, the last of the Slugs were picked-up and I had to take the regular lanes home. Since the new HOV/HOT Lanes have taken effect, I believe (or hope) there will be Slugs available after 6:00PM. How much later, I am not real sure. My guess is with the new HOV/HOT Lanes, rush-hour will be extended since the HOV Lanes are no longer available to regular traffic. Eliminating two lanes of out-bound traffic has to have some type of effect on rush-hour traffic. We will not truly know the effects of the HOV/HOT Lanes on rush-hour traffic until Monday, January 5th, 2015.
Definition Encarta Dictionary:
slug (noun)
slug [slag] (slugs)
loan commuter without car pool
a commuter who is not a member of an organized car pool and who hitches rides at established pickup points, hoping for an empty seat
(slang)
My Definition:
"a term of endearment"
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USA
Advanced Member
296 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2014 : 13:52:35
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Suggestion: This issue might be one that provides a good reason for drivers to start a conversation with riders even if that's traditionally been taboo. Express an interest in picking up slugs after 6:00 and ask your riders if they are interested in slugging after that time frame or, if they're not, whether they know of people who are. Word might get around. I think the key is communication because it's obviously a two-way street: Drivers need to be able to expect they stand a reasonable chance of finding riders if they're going to take the time to go to the slug lines, but riders also need to expect they'll find drivers coming to pick them up.
This week is obviously non-standard, but I think hillnva is right that traffic in the local lanes south of Turkeycock will be heavier than in the past once things return to normal on Monday, thus making it all that much more important for people to pick up slugs.
I wonder if you could find some riders at a place like the Springfield Metro stop if you struck out at the Pentagon. The easiest way to get there is, of course, to pay the toll to the Franconia-Springfield Parkway. I don't know whether any of the commuter buses from further south stop at that Metro stop, but if they do, perhaps you could pull in there and solicit riders waiting for the bus? While on the one hand it's fair to assume some of the bus riders are people uncomfortable with the idea of slugging, it's also fair to figure some of them might be people who wanted to slug but thought they wouldn't get a ride after 6:00. |
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eao
Average Member
USA
72 Posts |
Posted - 12/31/2014 : 09:19:48
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The only commuter bus that stops at S-field Metro is the PRTC. The commuter buses from Stafford and Fredericksburg make the Pentagon their last stop.
There is a Yahoo group for people coordinating rides out of L'Enfant, I wonder if starting something like that is feasible? I am in Alexandria until after 6 one day a week so it is a bit out of the way to go back up to the Pentagon but if I knew there would be people there I would make the trip. |
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Late Night Slug Sites....
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