In recent weeks, we've highlighted once again how double- and triple-parking, and illegal parking in curb lanes during rush hours, are major reasons for downtown gridlock.
Although I've given up on the city's law-enforcement arms doing anything about illegal parking, perhaps we can make some progress with chronic individual violators.
Let's start with the delivery vans. UPS, FedEx and the U.S. mail, you have told me over the years, are habitual violators, some blocking a lane in the same place every weekday.
Those drivers seem to think nothing of blocking a lane of rush-hour traffic to make pickups and deliveries. I understand they need to be timely in their business, but does that purpose entitle them to act illegally? To delay others?
I talked recently with UPS public relations spokesman Norman Black, speaking from the firm's Atlanta headquarters. "Our drivers are taught to avoid double-parking if at all possible," he said. "We work closely with authorities to try to get police to clear designated loading zones and to create them."
When off-street parking is not available, he said, the drivers may park illegally in the street. "We don't like it, we don't like paying tickets, but that time of day, we have thousands and thousands of business customers who are relying on us," he said. "I realize the conflict there; I lived for more than 20 years in Washington, D.C."
If you have specific complaints, Black said, UPS is willing to dispatch a supervisor to evaluate the situation, and see whether there is an alternative to provide timely service without blocking rush-hour traffic.
You can help.
Next time you see a UPS truck illegally blocking traffic -- either in a curb lane or double- or triple-parking -- jot down the date, time, truck number (which is in gold numbers on all sides of the vehicle), the address, the direction of travel and the next intersecting street. Send your "write-up" to Dr. Gridlock, and I'll take Mr. Black up on his offer.
We can start with UPS, then move on to FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service. Small steps, in a city with little traffic enforcement. What do you think?
P.S. Can anyone tell me why downtown Washington was developed without alleys? Alleys and loading zones within each block could have kept the streets free for traffic flow.
Pothole Repairs
The D.C. Department of Transportation has refitted trucks used for salting and plowing, loading them with asphalt to help fix that great nemesis when temperatures warm: potholes.
Eight crews are responding to complaints made to the mayor's call center (202-727-1000), agency spokesman Bill Rice said. "Requests are filled within three business days," he said.
Now that's a positive development. Not "may be," but "are." That's a far cry from the bad old days when unattended craters would get ever larger on downtown streets, swallowing vehicles.
Let me know how this ambitious, and welcome, approach is working.
Luncheon Engagements
I wonder whether there would be interest in having Dr. Gridlock appear at one of your group luncheons. This could be another forum for exchanging ideas on our transportation system. There would be no charge, and I would request groups of 75 or fewer so audience members could stay very involved in a discussion.
For more information or a request, e-mail me at the address below and send a copy by regular mail to David Jones, public relations supervisor, The Washington Post, 1150 15th St., Washington, D.C. 20071.
I'm good for all the cities, towns and counties in metropolitan Washington, from Anne Arundel to Stafford. And Fredericksburg. It would give me a chance to get a closer look at some transportation problems that concern you.
Georgetown Road Work
The city's Georgetown Project to replace utilities and upgrade the streetscape along Wisconsin Avenue NW, from M to S streets, has resumed after a holiday break. Work is scheduled to be completed in July. For more information, go to www.thegeorgetownproject.org.
Transportation researcher Diane Mattingly contributed to this column.
You can write to Dr. Gridlock at 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071. He prefers e-mails at drgridlock@washpost.com or faxes at 703-352-3908. Include your full name, town, county and day and evening telephone numbers. Dr. Gridlock cannot take phone calls.
