Dear Dr. Gridlock:
Please resolve a question that causes much argument in this house. Can a solo driver departing on a flight from Reagan National or Dulles International airport use the Dulles Access Road and Interstate 66 during periods of HOV-2 restrictions?
How does one prove that one is departing from an airport in this age of electronic tickets?
Alexander Nicolas Keyserlingk
Reston
Single-occupant drivers can always use the Dulles Access Road and I-66 inside the Beltway (where HOV-2 restrictions apply) if they have business at Dulles. That can mean catching a flight, picking up someone or simply stopping in for coffee and a newspaper.
If you have only an e-ticket, getting an itinerary might help. Virginia State Police say they have a pretty good idea who is and who isn't a legitimate Dulles airport customer.
There are no HOV exemptions for travelers using National Airport.
Signals of Change
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
I've noticed that most of the green traffic lights in Fairfax County have been converted from incandescent to energy-efficient LED [light-emitting diode] lights.
I don't think I've seen any red or amber LED lights at any intersection in the county.
Are the LED cost-benefit ratios worse for red and amber LED lights than for the green ones?
Jim Parrish
Reston
