[USA] United States Interstate Highways

e2ksj3 · December 3rd, 2004, 07:22 AM

What is your opinion of them? We were discussing them in class today. I think they are pretty innovative idea. Charging a user to bypass traffic congestion. The lanes pay for themselves through toll revenue. They get the maximum use out of a HOV lane, which can coexist with the HOT lane traffic. One example of this is in Houston. The HOV restriction is for 3 or more people, however you can pay a toll and need only 2 people. HOV to HOT conversion is relatively inexpensive. The San Diego I-15 HOT lane conversion was only $1.5 Million, which is pretty cheap for a highway project.
Some people are opposed to them, calling them "Lexus Lanes", because it would give wealthier people an advantage over others.

Azazel · December 4th, 2004, 09:37 PM

bad bad bad bad bad. Sucks. What's next, separate lanes by ethnicity?

***GENIUS LOCI*** · December 4th, 2004, 09:57 PM

HEY, Azazel.
Is it not the name of a devil?

that makes me afraid to click on your avatar...brrr, maybe I meet face to face Lucifer...... Ah Ah Ah Ah Ah

Nephasto · December 5th, 2004, 01:06 AM

What are HOV lanes?
You have to have a minimum number of persons on a car to travel on them?!

The anti-cheesehead · December 5th, 2004, 01:21 AM

I use them every day on the way to work because I'm in a carpool. They are going to start charging people though. Ish.

odegaard · December 5th, 2004, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nephasto

What are HOV lanes?
You have to have a minimum number of persons on a car to travel on them?!

HOV lane == high occupancy vehicle lane......aka car pool lane. Some HOV lanes mandate a minimum of 2 people while others mandate at least 3 people per vehicle.

I'm kinda undecided about HOT lanes or Lexus Lanes. On one hand you can argue why not? I mean rich people have bigger houses, sit in first class on airplanes, go to expensive colleges, nice restaurants, the list is almost infinite. So what's the big deal if we let them pay a little extra for their own freeway lane?

On the other hand you can argue that a public project should be equally available to all members of the public whether rich or poor.

I think HOT lanes should be allowed so long as it's 100% privately funded. However realistically speaking it's VERY difficult to fund a freeway privately.

e2ksj3 · December 5th, 2004, 02:06 PM

I don't know about the whole rich people only using them idea though. Yeah rich people will use them, but rich people aren't the only one's that use a toll road. I look at it in those contexts. Who uses the NJ Turnpike or Lincoln Tunnel? Who uses the Dulles Toll Road in Virginia or the Bay Bridge in California? People that are headed in that direction. I think people who use the HOT lanes will be the same, if a mom needs to get to a daycare, she'll use the lanes or a business person needs to get to the airport, they will use it too.

My only problem real beef with the system, is that it does take away from carpoolers. I like the idea of the facility coexisting with the HOV. For example, if your carpooling with 2 or more people, you can use the facility for free, however, if your a solo driver, you must pay a toll.

FM 2258 · December 5th, 2004, 08:38 PM

I think it's a great idea. If you can't afford it, make more money.

smeghead · December 6th, 2004, 04:38 PM

Or you could just toll everyone, rich or poor, and allow carpoolers to split the toll amongst themselves.

czm3 · December 15th, 2004, 04:05 AM

The point that everybody is missing here is that everyone benefits. If somebody want to spend to get in a faster lane thats good for the people in the slow (free) lanes that get rid of another car in front of them. Both sides win, by paying, the "lexus" is actually helping the other drivers out. So long traffic moves at normal speeds on these lanes, the HOVs will be unaffected.

FM 2258 · December 15th, 2004, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by czm3

The point that everybody is missing here is that everyone benefits. If somebody want to spend to get in a faster lane thats good for the people in the slow (free) lanes that get rid of another car in front of them. Both sides win, by paying, the "lexus" is actually helping the other drivers out. So long traffic moves at normal speeds on these lanes, the HOVs will be unaffected.

Very true, it's a win/win situation.

czm3 · December 18th, 2004, 10:22 PM

Funny.

today on the cusp of 2005 we call them "Lexus lanes"

When they were built, they were refered to as the "Robin Hood Freeway"

Azazel · December 18th, 2004, 10:27 PM

I guess it depends whether a splid public transportation solution exists, czm3.

HoustonTexas · December 20th, 2004, 06:24 AM

HOV (High occupancy vehicles) doesn't cost shit. There only one lane, and are open in the morning heading Downtown, and open in the afternoon, to the suburbs... They work reletivly well, and most stops are by the Metro Park and ride bus stations in the outlying communities. They work really well for the buses, and vehicles. The only reason one would not work is if there is a wreck on one, which is rare. You can get off and on them anytime you get a chance. Sometimes they have opening right on the Highway!

kjb434 · March 10th, 2005, 09:50 PM

The Houston HOV network, which is the most advance and lengthy one in the US, is our form of mass transportation rail. Large busses carry several 1000s of people into the city in the morning and repeats it to carry out. These people are just paying for the bus ride. Also, some extremely outlying suburbs have private bus service that use these lanes. The remove loads of people that would otherwise be one person to a car from the mainlanes of our freeways.

The amount of people this system moves in Houston exceeds the passenger volume on Atlanta's MARTA rail system and Dallas' Dart rail system.

The newest incarnation will be a 4 lane bi-directional toll road that is free for people with three or more in the car that is placed in the center of the Katy Freeway reconstruction project. This freeway is the main freeway to take commuters from Downtown and Uptown to the west side of the city.

Latin l0cO · May 15th, 2005, 07:33 PM

Living here in NewYork I sort of forget sometimes that most Interstates outside of the area are free.

FM 2258 · May 16th, 2005, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjb434

The Houston HOV network, which is the most advance and lengthy one in the US, is our form of mass transportation rail. Large busses carry several 1000s of people into the city in the morning and repeats it to carry out. These people are just paying for the bus ride. Also, some extremely outlying suburbs have private bus service that use these lanes. The remove loads of people that would otherwise be one person to a car from the mainlanes of our freeways.

The amount of people this system moves in Houston exceeds the passenger volume on Atlanta's MARTA rail system and Dallas' Dart rail system.

The newest incarnation will be a 4 lane bi-directional toll road that is free for people with three or more in the car that is placed in the center of the Katy Freeway reconstruction project. This freeway is the main freeway to take commuters from Downtown and Uptown to the west side of the city.

I honestly think Houston has the coolest highway system in the U.S. and I'm glad to see they're gonna implement toll lanes on Interstate 10 since it's a perfect idea. This is not putting people into classes, it's giving people more options. At least in this case you can drive on Interstate 10 for free or if you want better service then pay for the toll lanes. Hell, they did that for Westpark Drive and the Westpark Tollway. I live in Austin but was in Houston earlier today and I wish I had an EZ tag for the Westpark tollway. Houston has some of the best ideas for highways yet and I'm also very glad to see their Metro Train in use.

MSP · May 16th, 2005, 06:54 AM

Minneapolis opens up its first HOT lanes tommorow morning.
http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5404915.html
I don't like the idea of paying to drive on a road that is already paid for...

FM 2258 · May 16th, 2005, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSP

Minneapolis opens up its first HOT lanes tommorow morning.
http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5404915.html
I don't like the idea of paying to drive on a road that is already paid for...

They're tolling only part of the highway so as long as you stay out of the toll lanes you're not paying to drive on a road that's already paid for. I actually think of these toll lanes as a seperate highway slapped in the middle of an existing one. Hell, maybe they should apply this idea to most major urban freeways but we still need wiiiiiiider and better highways in my opinion.

So I'm fine with this idea as long as they don't take an existing free highway and slap toll plazas across all lanes of traffic. As for new tollways, go ahead and build them, we need more highways in this country, at least here in Texas but I bet it really applies to California as well.

Also a light high speed rail along all major freeways with convenient park/rides would be a great idea to complement our freeways and busy roads. I actually tried the Houston Metro and I was impressed. They need to expand it for it to work better in my opinion.

gronier · October 29th, 2005, 11:21 PM

Which US state do you think has the highways in the crappiest condition????

December 3rd, 2004, 07:22 AM	#1
e2ksj3 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Charlotte Posts: 127 Likes (Received): 0	HOT Lanes aka "Lexus Lanes" What is your opinion of them? We were discussing them in class today. I think they are pretty innovative idea. Charging a user to bypass traffic congestion. The lanes pay for themselves through toll revenue. They get the maximum use out of a HOV lane, which can coexist with the HOT lane traffic. One example of this is in Houston. The HOV restriction is for 3 or more people, however you can pay a toll and need only 2 people. HOV to HOT conversion is relatively inexpensive. The San Diego I-15 HOT lane conversion was only $1.5 Million, which is pretty cheap for a highway project. Some people are opposed to them, calling them "Lexus Lanes", because it would give wealthier people an advantage over others.

December 5th, 2004, 01:06 AM	#4
Nephasto Enlightened user Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Porto Posts: 5,748 Likes (Received): 31	What are HOV lanes? You have to have a minimum number of persons on a car to travel on them?! __________________ Long live rail freight!!

December 6th, 2004, 04:38 PM	#9
smeghead PTnut Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sydney Posts: 662 Likes (Received): 0	Or you could just toll everyone, rich or poor, and allow carpoolers to split the toll amongst themselves. __________________ *"Widening roads to ease traffic congestion is like trying to cure obesity by loosening your belt."* - Glen Hiemstra

December 20th, 2004, 06:24 AM	#14
HoustonTexas Nassau Bay Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Houston/Cologne Posts: 954 Likes (Received): 0	HOV (High occupancy vehicles) doesn't cost shit. There only one lane, and are open in the morning heading Downtown, and open in the afternoon, to the suburbs... They work reletivly well, and most stops are by the Metro Park and ride bus stations in the outlying communities. They work really well for the buses, and vehicles. The only reason one would not work is if there is a wreck on one, which is rare. You can get off and on them anytime you get a chance. Sometimes they have opening right on the Highway! __________________ "Most people would agree that it is impossible for eloquent persons to affect their hearers in any degree without being affected by it themselves." Myspace

May 15th, 2005, 07:33 PM	#16
Latin l0cO Back From Retirment Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hoboken, NJ Posts: 290 Likes (Received): 3	Living here in NewYork I sort of forget sometimes that most Interstates outside of the area are free. __________________ See Signature Rules.

December 4th, 2004, 09:37 PM	#2
Azazel ---- Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Haifa Posts: 685 Likes (Received): 0	bad bad bad bad bad. Sucks. What's next, separate lanes by ethnicity?

December 4th, 2004, 09:57 PM	#3
*GENIUS LOCI* Italian Mod Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Milano Posts: 26,396 Likes (Received): 217	HEY, Azazel. Is it not the name of a devil? that makes me afraid to click on your avatar...brrr, maybe I meet face to face Lucifer...... Ah Ah Ah Ah Ah

December 5th, 2004, 01:21 AM	#5
The anti-cheesehead Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: City of Minneapolis Posts: 3,028 Likes (Received): 0	I use them every day on the way to work because I'm in a carpool. They are going to start charging people though. Ish.

December 5th, 2004, 02:06 PM	#7
e2ksj3 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Charlotte Posts: 127 Likes (Received): 0	I don't know about the whole rich people only using them idea though. Yeah rich people will use them, but rich people aren't the only one's that use a toll road. I look at it in those contexts. Who uses the NJ Turnpike or Lincoln Tunnel? Who uses the Dulles Toll Road in Virginia or the Bay Bridge in California? People that are headed in that direction. I think people who use the HOT lanes will be the same, if a mom needs to get to a daycare, she'll use the lanes or a business person needs to get to the airport, they will use it too. My only problem real beef with the system, is that it does take away from carpoolers. I like the idea of the facility coexisting with the HOV. For example, if your carpooling with 2 or more people, you can use the facility for free, however, if your a solo driver, you must pay a toll.

December 5th, 2004, 08:38 PM	#8
FM 2258 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Austin Posts: 4,479 Likes (Received): 23	I think it's a great idea. If you can't afford it, make more money.

December 15th, 2004, 04:05 AM	#10
czm3 Automobile lover Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 315 Likes (Received): 1	The point that everybody is missing here is that everyone benefits. If somebody want to spend to get in a faster lane thats good for the people in the slow (free) lanes that get rid of another car in front of them. Both sides win, by paying, the "lexus" is actually helping the other drivers out. So long traffic moves at normal speeds on these lanes, the HOVs will be unaffected.

December 18th, 2004, 10:22 PM	#12
czm3 Automobile lover Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 315 Likes (Received): 1	Funny. today on the cusp of 2005 we call them "Lexus lanes" When they were built, they were refered to as the "Robin Hood Freeway"

December 18th, 2004, 10:27 PM	#13
Azazel ---- Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Haifa Posts: 685 Likes (Received): 0	I guess it depends whether a splid public transportation solution exists, czm3.

March 10th, 2005, 09:50 PM	#15
kjb434 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 8 Likes (Received): 0	The Houston HOV network, which is the most advance and lengthy one in the US, is our form of mass transportation rail. Large busses carry several 1000s of people into the city in the morning and repeats it to carry out. These people are just paying for the bus ride. Also, some extremely outlying suburbs have private bus service that use these lanes. The remove loads of people that would otherwise be one person to a car from the mainlanes of our freeways. The amount of people this system moves in Houston exceeds the passenger volume on Atlanta's MARTA rail system and Dallas' Dart rail system. The newest incarnation will be a 4 lane bi-directional toll road that is free for people with three or more in the car that is placed in the center of the Katy Freeway reconstruction project. This freeway is the main freeway to take commuters from Downtown and Uptown to the west side of the city.

May 16th, 2005, 06:54 AM	#18
MSP Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 23 Likes (Received): 0	Minneapolis opens up its first HOT lanes tommorow morning. http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5404915.html I don't like the idea of paying to drive on a road that is already paid for...

October 29th, 2005, 11:21 PM	#20
gronier BANNED Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Santiago Posts: 900 Likes (Received): 0	US State with the WORST highways???? Which US state do you think has the highways in the crappiest condition????

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