D ear Dr. Gridlock:
The real problem with transportation in the United States is that there are too many people trying to use a limited number of facilities at the same time.
Rather than spend billions to expand the transportation infrastructure by adding more lanes, a more sensible approach may be to go to a two-shift economy. The federal government could lead the way.
Imagine what would happen if normal business hours were from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The peak use of our highways would be spread over many more hours, thus lessening congestion.
Working families would no longer need child care because one spouse could work early and one late.
Organizations would need less office space because desks and offices would be shared by employees. And there would be a greater window of opportunity for all of us to conduct business when it is convenient.
I submit that this approach would go a long way to eliminating the road congestion we all experience during the morning and evening rush hours.
Darrell Keith Bishop
Blue Ridge Summit, Pa.
That's worth pondering. Suppose shifts were divided between, say, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.? Wouldn't that alleviate our normal morning and evening rush-hour periods? Spread the demand over a broader period of time. Hmm. It's worth a thought.
Certainly, I'm not hearing imaginative thinking from our local elected officials, who seem addicted to developing every square inch of suburban Washington with high-density residential growth and strip shopping centers, even though the existing transportation system won't accommodate such new growth.
Thanks, Mr. Bishop.
Your thoughts? Please keep the ideas coming, before we suffocate in our own gridlock.
Better Seat Belt Ideas
Reader Catherine Johnston of Falls Church complained about poorly designed shoulder harnesses riding up her chest and choking her [Dr. Gridlock, March 10]. She said she solved the problem by twisting the seat belt several times before buckling it, making the harness fit more snugly.
