Ron Shaffer
All Things Traffic and Transportation
Monday, June 20, 2005
1:00 PM
Since 1986, Ron Shaffer , better known as Dr. Gridlock , writes his column for The Washington Post, Dr. Gridlock Column . In it he tracks the region's traffic woes, finds the correct officials to answer drivers' questions and responds to some of the hundreds of letters he receives each month. He describes himself as "the Ann Landers of commuters."
Dr. Gridlock was online Monday, June 20, at 1 p.m. ET .
Dr. Gridlock appears Sunday in the Metro section and Thursday in Extra. You can write to him at 1150 15th St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20071. He prefers to receive e-mail, at drgridlock@washpost.com , or faxes, at 703-352-3908. Please include your full name, town, county and day and evening phone numbers.
A transcript follows.
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Ron Shaffer: Hello, folks. Dr. Gridlock here. Please send along your concerns and questions about transportation in the metropolitan washington area.
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Springfield, Va.: With the Wilson Bridge project and the Springfield Interchange, Northern Virginia has two of the largest road construction projects in history happening at the same time. Once they are both complete do you think they will make a difference to commuters? It seems to me that most of the congestion problems that I hear on the radio are in different areas and are un-related to either the Wilson Bridge or the Springfield interchange.
Ron Shaffer: The Wilson Bridge replaces a six lane bridge with two six lane ones. New interchanges are being built at Maryland Route 210 and I295, and Virginia Route 1 and Telegraph Road. The Beltway is being widened to six lanes in each direction for seven miles through the construction area.
The Springfield Interchange will divide local, through, and express traffic on three levels.
At a cost of nearly $4 billion, they should make things better!
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HOV Lane: I regularly take HOV with my husband and we rarely see the HOV-cheaters caught. I recently saw two incidents that made me proud of the MD State Troopers and their efforts to stop the cheaters:
1. Last week the guy in front of me on 495/270 N. was clearly not HOV. He was driving really slow so he could jump back in the lane if he saw a cop. He suddenly slammed on his brakes to swerve back into the main lanes, I slammed on my brakes to avoid hitting him, and I honked as I passed. I didn't know it, but there was a State Trooper pulling HOV cheaters over! The cop heard me honking and nailed the cheater! My husband and I cheered.
2. Several months ago, my husband had leaned his seat back to take a nap while I was driving. I saw a state trooper in the far lane and had a feeling he would come over to check me out. Sure enough, he came all the way over to verify that I was HOV. Once he saw my sleeping husband, he went on his way.
Both of these incidents give me hope that the Maryland State Troopers are out there -- they just don't have enough officers checking out the people who cheat. I rarely see officers out in the morning but I have started to see a few in the afternoon. I say, keep up the good work, but do it more often. We really need to crack down on HOV violators, especially in MD. In Virginia, I usually see three officers at the top of the HOV exit ramps off 395 waiting to bust violators -- we need more coverage in Maryland.
Ron Shaffer: Enforcement should be an added component to the budget when building HOV lanes.
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Baltimore, Md.: Dear Dr. Gridlock
Do you know by any chance if the Techway will ever be built. I think that road is ESSENTIAL for the traffic relief
Thank you
Ron Shaffer: No. I don't think it will ever be built. The theory is good, that is, a new crossing (first in 40 years) of the Potomac, connecting Dulles with Rockville, but Maryland wont take a connection through agricultural Montgomery County.
Besides, the state owns BWI and doesn't want to make it easier for MoCo residents to patronize Dulles.
Besides when Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R.-Va), the champion of the Techway, introduced the concept to constituents in Great Falls Va., they were so opposed to a major road coming near them that Wolf backed off the proposal altogether.
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Washington, D.C.: Roadwork recently began on Kenilworth Avenue (aka. D.C. 295), ostensibly for resurfacing. Do you know how long this is expected to take?
Ron Shaffer: No; I'll ask.
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Frederick, Md.: Last week my husband ran over a large piece of truck tire in the roadway on I70 near Mt. Airy, Md. The impact ripped away part of the oxygen sensor from the car, and damaged the underside and front end. He thinks it will cost $2,000 to fix the mess. After the impact the "check engine" light came on, so he drove to a safe location and called a tow truck. My question is: Is anyone out there picking up these ripped up tires from the middle of the road? Or what about inspecting the truck tires before they just disintegrate onto the roadway, waiting for some unsuspecting driver to run them over? He was in the middle lane and had nowhere to go.
Ron Shaffer: Good question. We see disintegrated truck tires all the time. I'll ask Maryland state highway about them.
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Washington, D.C.: Submitting a bit early -- sorry!
This has bugged me for a little while. Metro has put up some lovely signs at the doors with emergency instructions. Very important information, I do not dispute that. But what they have done to make room for the information, however, is to make the metro map approximately the size of a human head. So small that you can't read it without being inches away from it. To make this even worse is that they have moved the map to the lower left-hand corner of the signage area -- right in front of the spot where someone sits -- effectively blocking the entire map. So, unless you know the metro system by heart or you are not afraid to sit in someone's lap to read it, you are never sure where you are or where you are going. Can they do anything about this??
Ron Shaffer: I'll check
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Annandale, Va.: With all proper respect I make this comment: In the past four months I have sat three times for three quarters of an hour to an hour behind traffic that has stopped because of a major accident. My view in this area is that there should be no reason that traffic in this area should ever be allowed to stop completely, unless it is dangerous to the health of passing motorists. For the police who say we have to ascertain everything going on, my response is "let's fire you first." As a consultant, in my business, when people don't hustle or please the customer they get let go. If the police cannot hustle to get traffic at least in one lane AROUND ANY ACCIDENT. They should be let go. I realize that the chopper for an accident has to land on the road for a minute to get the victims -- then stop traffic quickly and get the victims loaded and then get the traffic moving again. Traffic is just going to get worse in this area and accidents are just going to keep occurring. Let's keep traffic moving around accidents.
Ron Shaffer: Nothing drives motorists battier than police standing around at an accident scene, and not directing traffic.
We need them. (Also, motorists involved in fender benders should get off the road, if their vehicle is driveable.
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University Park, Md.: Why must there be traffic lights on all night on U.S. - 1 (Baltimore Ave. / Rhode Island Ave.) in downtown Hyattsville? Surely there is precious little traffic at 3 a.m., but I have to stop repeatedly for up to six lights which have no cross traffic. They should be on flash at this hour. I wrote and called the state and got the pabalum that these were some of the oldest traffic lights in the county and that they would look into it. Needless to say, nothing has been done.
Ron Shaffer: You make a good point. I'll ask.
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I-66 HOV Lane: As a FRUSTRATED daily commuter on I-66, I am amazed to see unmarked "police cruisers" with single drivers taking advantage of the HOV lanes. While I can understand the need for VIRGINIA state and county officers to use the restricted lanes, these unmarked cars that I'm referring to have dubious origins (high-end Lexus and Chrysler sedans) and most of the time they carry D.C. and Maryland license plates. They seem to carry some kind of "police" lights, but the lights were not flashing, so obviously they were not operating under any kind of emergency or "official" business. Isn't this abuse of power and privilege????? As a tax payer, I am outraged at the fact that I can be fined as high as $200+ for violating HOV rules while these "officials" have this kind of perk. How do you feel about this?
Ron Shaffer: Law enforcement is entitled to use the HOV lanes, whether on duty or off. I do get a lot of complaints about that.
My view is that the central problem clogging the HOV lanes is cheaters, and until law enforcement (and the General Assembly, with increased penalties) can get that under control, the HOV lanes will not operate efficiently.
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Arlington, Va.: Can you explain why there's no access from the GW Parkway South to U.S.-50 West (just around Rosslyn) during morning rush hour? I understand concerns about traffic backing up onto the Parkway, but seems like this wouldn't be a problem here (like it might for the Key Bridge exit). Is it just to facilitate northbound GW Parkway traffic exiting at Rosslyn?
Ron Shaffer: I don't know. Perhaps someone out there does.
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Mason Neck, Va.: Hi Dr. Gridlock. I hope this isn't too silly a question. My husband and I just bought a 2-seater BMW (our mid-life crisis car!). Are 2-seater vehicles exempt from HOV regulations? If not, why since motorcycles are exempt? Many thanks for your advice!
Ron Shaffer: It's not the size of the vehicle that is considered, it's the number of passengers. Two seaters are not exempt, and it is unlikely they could fit enough bodies in them to qualify for the HOV-3 lanes.
Motorcycles are exempt because they have a strong lobby.
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Reston, Va.: Why is the only solution to this areas' congestion problem building more restricted lanes? How about building more lanes that everyone can use. For the most part this area is not conducive to carpooling. It's a nice idea but most people don't work regular schedules and don't live near people that work at the same office. This area needs to take a hard look at N.J. which eliminated HOV lanes because of these very issues. These HOT lanes will not help solve the traffic problems.
Ron Shaffer: There isn't enough right of way or money to keep expanding our interstate highway to meet demand.
Virginia's HOV system is considered one of the best in getting motorists to car-pool to work.
The only way yet proposed to widen interstates (The Beltway; I-95) is to have a private enterprise build them, to be repaid through tolls.
Given the status quo, versus expansion of HOT (toll) lanes, I'd like to see how the latter works out.
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Reston, Va.: Dear Dr. Gridlock:
How do I go about requesting a pedestrian signal at an intersection that has "part" of a crosswalk? The intersection is in Reston, Sunrise Valley Drive and Colts Neck Drive.
Thanks!
Ron Shaffer: Start with VDOT, (703) 383-VDOT, and request the proper forms. You can probably get them online. I believe the main contact is www.VIRGINIADOT.org.
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Falls Church, Va.: Could you explain how the pick up locations for Slug Lines to Virginia are determined? Basically everyday as I drive down 19th Street to turn right onto E St. (and onto the E St. Expressway to the TR Bridge), I encounter cars stopped in the right lane (the lane we all want to turn from) picking up Slugs or, even worse, waiting for them show up. Why is it that Slug pick up points are not positioned on non-commuter routes? (Like F St., right around the corner.) Is this something that we basically have to live with since the police aren't around to move the cars along? Thanks for your chats!!
Ron Shaffer: I got the same concern from a reader about evening slug loading on 14th Street. The city's response is that slugs are an efficient way to travel into the city, and the city wants to accommodate them. Further, the city says, those who complain should join a slug line or take mass transit, rather than drive into the city alone...
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Arlington, Va.: Does anyone else think the light at Old Georgetown Road and Woodmont Ave. in downtown Bethesda is dangerous? Traffic turning left (south) from the one-way portion of Old Georgetown onto the one-way portion of Woodmont has to contend with right turning traffic from the other side of Old Georgetown. But only part of the green cycle has this conflict and the right-turning traffic doesn't expect cars from the other direction.
Ron Shaffer: I haven't heard of this concern. Perhaps someone else out there has an observation/solution...
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Germantown, Md.: I see the Hot lanes as just a theft of public money. The funds are there or at the least the revenues are there to do the highway improvements yet Virginia is hopping on this cash cow and leaving the taxpayers holding the bill. From what I understand less than 30 percent of the revenues generated by the fuel tax is actually spent on Highway improvements. All this will do is force those who cannot afford it to sit in worsening traffic while the rich whiz on by.
Ron Shaffer: Because private enterprise builds toll lanes that are used to repay the construction of those lanes--that's theft of public funds? Drivers will have a choice to use them or not.
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Arlington, Va.: Do you think this area will ever get a monorail or something built up above the road for transit? It seems like this might be easier to maintain than the underground metro system that seems to be failing. Is anyone studying this as a creative solution to gridlock?
Ron Shaffer: To my knowledge, no. The heavy rail folks (Metrorail) seem to dominate the transit discussion in Metrorail to Dulles. No discussion of light rail or monorail, even though those modes would be cheaper than Metrorail.
I understand that monorail in Seattle and Las Vegas, works.
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Alexandria, Va.: Do you have any idea what is going on with the traffic signals along Washington Street in Alexandria? For the past several months, the timing has been changed over and over again. First, the problem was a one to two mile back up on the GW parkway heading north into Alexandria in the morning. Next, the bottleneck occurred at the other end of Washington Street in the morning trying to get out of Alexandria. Now, we're back to the backup on the GW Parkway, and don't even get me started about the evening commute! What is wrong with Alexandria officials that they can't get the timing right so that traffic moves through Washington Street in both the morning and in the evening??!! Your assistance in getting Alexandria to deal with this issue facing so many commuters would be GREATLY appreciated. --Robin McClure
Ron Shaffer: Can you isolate the problem to one or two intersections? And is it possible that the Wilson Bridge construction is creating traffic patterns that are throwing signals out of synch?
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Baltimore, Md.: Dear Dr. Gridlock.
I live in Baltimore but commute to Virginia every morning and can observe road constructions in both states. To my understanding, road projects in Maryland take way looooooonger to complete than in Virginia. For example, the 695 beltway widening in Catonsville is like one year behind the schedule. (it was supposed to complete last fall according to maryland road projects web site). It takes years (3 or 4) to complete a single interchange on route 29 in Maryland. On the contrary, on route 28 in Virginia, the majority of a single interchange work is done in one year (myself being a witness). The Springfield interchange is ahead of schedule, so is the Wilson Bridge, but I am not sure how much Maryland has contributed to that. That may pertain to other projects. As one of the previous commenters mentioned, Maryland is way behind Virginia in terms of road project scale-wise and speed-wise (maybe money-wise??) Am I being too subjective, am I correct anywhere, would anybody agree with me.
Thank you in advance, Mikhail Podolski
Ron Shaffer: Maryland is more aggressive with road improvements, in my view. E.G. interchanges on Route 29 are eliminating traffic signals in Howard and Montgomery counties. It is possible to travel Route 5 out from the Beltway all the way to Brandywine Road on the PG/Charles border, without hitting a traffic light, because of new interchanges.
Virginia doesn't build these interchanges, which cost $25 to $50 million each. The six Route 28 interchanges in Loudoun and Fairfax counties are being built with private enterprise, and are proving that they can be built faster and cheaper that way.
Maryland is light years ahead of Virginia in helping motorists with signing.
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Arlington, Va.: Hi Dr. Gridlock,
Has the State of Virginia ever thought of turning Rt. 50/Arlington BLVD into a major highway (similar to 66)? With it already three lanes in some places and plenty of space on the sides of it, why not convert it into a better highway instead of adding onto 66? It would obviously displace homes/businesses but in the end could probably be built utilizing existing space.
Ron Shaffer: I haven;t heard this. I suspect that bringing Route 50 up to interstate standards (with interchanges and sound walls) would take a lot more space.
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Front Royal, Va.: Dr. G, What on Earth is the problem on I-66 in the morning, starting in Haymarket? Every day I listen to the traffic report and it is almost always just volume, no accidents. The median construction that is going on has not taken away any traffic lanes and I can't imagine that this many people have suddenly moved out to the outer suburbs. It consistently now takes me 10-15 minutes longer to get through traffic for just a few mile stretch. What gives?
Ron Shaffer: Look around at all the new development in Haymarket, Gainesville and Bristow. With scant improvements to the roads.
When one keeps pouring more and more liquid into an already-full cup, what happens?
It is also possible that construction work widening I-66 to eight lanes, between Business 234 and Bypass 234, is causing some slowing.
My condolences, Front Royal commuter, and to anyone else who has to use the I-88 corridor...
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Arlington, Va.: Access to Rt. 50-West from the GW Parkway -- South is no longer restricted. Yes, the sign is up saying there's no access to Rt. 50 from 7:00-9:00 a.m., but the gate is never closed. I drive on that ramp every morning to get onto the Roosevelt Bridge and have never seen access to Rt. 50 blocked. It is frequently used. Not sure why it would have been blocked in the first place.
Ron Shaffer: Thank you. We've got to help each other...
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Washington, D.C.: After driving back and forth to Baltimore this weekend to see the Orioles, it occurred to me that I rarely, if ever, see any traffic enforcement on the beltway or 95. I do see lots of people driving 75-80mph, weaving across three lanes of traffic at a time, and tailgating to the point of almost touching the slower car's bumper. It seems like this should be expected from little to no enforcement - a lawless society. Why isn't there more enforcement of existing laws? The money generated from the tickets alone would pay for several officers' salary.
Ron Shaffer: A common question. However, revenue from fines does not go back to police budgets; it goes into a general budget.
I believe I-95 between the Beltways is the scariest road in our area, mostly because of the 80-90 mile speeds.
You would think speed patrol would be a high priority with Maryland State Police, but, sadly, we don't see that...
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Alexandria, Va.: Isn't 395 supposed to have soundwalls? Most of it doesn't seem to.
Ron Shaffer: Interesting question. Why does I-66 have sound walls inside the Beltway, but I395 does not. I'll ask.
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Artful Dodger, Reston, Va.: Hopefully you can resolve this issue for my sanity's sake ...
West Ox Road and McLearan Road intersect at 'T'. Those coming from Rte. 28 would turn right on McLearan, those coming from Rte. 7100 would turn left onto it. Normally I'd say that the right-hand turners have the right of way over the left-hand turners, all things being equal, but the righties have a yield sign on their bend. Doesn't that effectively cede right of way to the lefties, who have no such sign?
I tend to be cautious making that left, just in case I'm wrong...and I'm hoping to avoid for as long as I can the inevitability of getting sideswiped by folks who blast through that yield sign...
Thanks.
Ron Shaffer: You would think the folks with no yield sign would have the right of way, but motorists may have their differing opinions. Can you take a different route, one that bypasses this intersection?
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Woodbridge, Va.: Dr Gridlock, I have been slugging into D.C. for almost 20 years now. Virginia state officials are the most stubborn bunch of self serving politicians I have ever seen. The HOT lane proposal is a joke. Why don't they get it. If they want to talk to people who really know what is going on, talk to the slugs!! We know traffic patterns. We know how these lanes have been innundated in the past few years by hybrids. Thousands of us have written them month after month, only to get the same form letter back. Have you seen the HOV lanes lately?? Every morning they are almost as bad as the main lanes. Why won't they take the hybrids off?? Are they just stubborn, or are they unable to admit they were wrong about letting them on in the 1st place?? Now they want to make these lanes HOT. Do they want to destroy the best transportation idea in the country. 35,000 sluggers a day, each way!! Do they want 70,000 more single trips on the highway each day? That's what they will get if they don't get they hybrids off the HOV lanes and make it worthwhile to use them. So what will it take for them to wake up?
Ron Shaffer: I feel your passion. You don't want something threatened (slugging) that works so well. However, by widening the HOV-3 lanes, and charging a toll for those less than HOV-3, I'm not sure that slugging is doomed.
If the HOV lanes because too crowded, the tolling authority could raise the tolls until enough people dropped off to make the express lanes flow again.
Remember, without HOT lanes, I'm not sure we will see any improvements to Interstate Highways in Northern Virginia.
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Daytime running lights: Hi Ron, can you settle a debate for me? A friend of mine and I each have cars with daytime running lights. Both cars have sensors that turn on the main headlights when it gets dark. Sometimes, when it rains, our lights stay in daytime running mode, depending on how dark the sky gets.
Now the debate: In Virginia, it's required that headlights are turned on whenever windshield wipers are used. I'm convinced that they daytime mode is enough, and my friend insists that we're supposed to manually turn the main headlights on. Can you settle this for us? Thanks in advance.
Ron Shaffer: I don't know. I'll check. I put my main lights on anyway, just to be sure.
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Herndon, Va.: Back in the early 1950's thru the 1960's America's interstate road network took off in leaps and bounds. Now we are in the 21st century and these same interstate highways are in desperate need of repair and renovation in order to handle the increased volume of traffic. Even though the Department of Transportation is a cabinet level agency, there doesn't seem to be any urgency to improve these higways. What kind of disaster will it take for action to take place?
Ron Shaffer: Point taken. The amount of transportation money used for maintenance keeps growing...
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Chris M.: Herndon, Fairfax Co., Va.: Hi Dr. G, I am leaving next Monday morning for vacation near Ocean City, Md. I would usually take the inner loop around to WB 50 to head to the Bay Bridge, but I'm worried about the AM rush hour. Would you suggest another route to take to the Bay Bridge. I was going to leave between 8 or 9 am. Thanks!
Ron Shaffer: There aren't a lot of delicious choices here. I'd probably take the Beltway over going through the District during morning rush hour. Anyone else have an opinion?
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Woodbridge, Va.: How do you think the HOT lanes will affect the system of Slugging in the I95 Corridor? With HOV already clogging up with hybrids, carpoolers and law enforcement officers I think the congestion will just get worse and slugging will fall to the way side. This is one of the most economically endowed areas of the country, you can't tell me that the lanes won't be crowded with these well endowed commuters?
Ron Shaffer: I don't see HOT lane traffic overwhelming slugs. I don't think local officials will let that happen because:
(1) Sluggers are their constituents and
(2) The system works so well it would be a black eye (and bad PR) for the HOT lanes if sluggers were to suffer
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Soundwalls: I-395 is a MUCH older highway than I-66 inside the Beltway. I-66 opened in December 1982. I-395 opened as VA-350 back in the 1940s, long before sound walls were an issue. I imagine it's probably grandfathered in.
Ron Shaffer: Thanks.
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Springfield, Va.: I realize that they still haven't finished the toll road construction near the beltway, but I can tell you that when they are done it still won't work. That whole interchange is one of the most poorly designed and engineered projects that I have ever seen. The two additional lanes taking traffic both ways on the beltway is a joke. The two lanes merge into one lane as you enter the beltway. Basically they just moved the choke point up a few hundred yards.
Ron Shaffer: We'll have to wait and see. What other choice?
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Washington, D.C.: I personally get tired of people constantly complaining about how many hybrids there are on the HOV lanes. If I had to commute into D.C., I'd buy a hybrid just so I could use 66. Hybrids are given this privilege in order to spur purchasing of more fuel-efficient cars, and this is the ONLY reason I'd ever buy a hybrid.
Ron Shaffer: The question will resolve itself on June 30, 2006, when the legislation exempting hybrids expires. It probably won't be renewed.
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Silver Spring, Md.: Often, when southbound 495 through Montgomery County backs up in the afternoon, I navigate a series of sideroads that parallel the Beltway. One section of my route between Connecticut Ave. and Georgia Ave. is Newcastle Ave. I recently saw a sign saying that the Montgomery County Executive is considering a proposal to abandon the roadway. I can understand and sympathize with the residents through whose neighborhood I travel: there is no doubt a lot of traffic. The road is small, heavily-travelled, and contains speed bumps, so I'm not sure that safety is necessarily the primary issue here. To what degree has Montgomery (and other local jurisdictions) turned to road abandonment as a strategy during these times when congestion is just a fact of life? Is it fair to abandon roads and then not build new ones a la the ICC?
Ron Shaffer: I don't know the background of this road abandonment. Write Thomas D. Pogue, Community Outreach Manager, Montgomery Department of Transportation, 101 Montroe Street, Rockville Maryland.
I suspect you'll get a thoughtful answer.
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Manassas, Va.: Considering that no technology exists to count bodies in cars at highway speed, and neither Clark nor Fluor have included separate HOV-counting lanes or facilities in their "HOT" proposals, why should carpoolers expect they are going to continue to get a free ride on the i95/395 corridor after these projects are in place?
Ron Shaffer: The technology has to be there to make this work.
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Washington, D.C.: Dr. Gridlock,
I often encounter DCPD cars driving around with small white or red and blue flashing lights on their light bars. These are not the spinning lights that they use in an emergency, and the cops are in no hurry to get anywhere. What gives?
Ron Shaffer: I don't know. Anyone?
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Reston, Va.: As one with full respect for our law enforcement, I have observed the following two situations as of late: First, there was the Montgomery County Police officer driving aggressively, swerving in and out of traffic and making aggressive land changes as I was driving towards Olney on a recent Sunday afternoon. His complete ignorance to traffic rules (speeding well in excess of the 40 or 45mph limit on Gude Drive and Route 28) was uncalled for. Police officers should serve as role models in their driving habits. Second, there was the D.C. Police officer riding in the HOV lanes on I-66 east last week during morning rushhour. It was readily apparent that there was not a second party in the vehicle with him.
If police officials are not on their way to an emergency, aren't they obligated to follow and adhere to the same traffic laws as the general public? Is there an agency/contact person to whom we can report this sort of thing?
Ron Shaffer: Yes. We want to see our police set good examples.
I suspect Montgomery County police would look into a complaint about the first driver. You would need to include the cruiser number, date time, road, direction and complaint.
As to the second driver, off duty police are exempted from HOV restrictions in Virginia.
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For Daytime Running Lights: Daytime running lights only put on your front (head) lights. In rain, darkness etc, the main lights are needed so that your taillights are on as well. It's great that you can see in front of you but the people behind can't see you as well if you only have the daytime runners on.
Ron Shaffer: Good point.
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Seattle Monorail: The monorail in Seattle works??!? Ha! Right now the monorail has two stops -- it goes about 1/2 mile from downtown to the Seattle Center. It's more of a tourist attraction than a method of transportation (it was built for the 1962 World's Fair) While there is talk to expand, the city is deadlocked over how to do this, where it will go, and how to pay for it.
Ron Shaffer: Thanks for the update..
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Silver Spring, Md.: How come they don't station a fire truck and ambulance on some of the highways that are most likely to see accidents during the morning commute? Wouldn't that reduce the response time to accidents, save lives, and reduce congestion?
Ron Shaffer: that's an awfully high operating cost when helicopter medevacs can get to the scene as fast or faster.
my understanding is that road assistance trucks will be stationed near the wilson bridge and springfield interchange during inclement weather in winter...
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Springfield, Va.: How will the same overworked and undermanned police responsible for enforcing HOV restrictions be able to enforce the HOT lanes? How can they tell if a car paid the toll with an electronic transponder or is just cheating?
Ron Shaffer: I'm finding this out. It will have to be with some kind of electronic detection system, and tickets by mail coded to a license plate...
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Arlington, Va.: Just want to throw my support out there for doing anything (including HOV exemption) for hybrids. Their use goes far and beyond traffic congestion. Nearly half of the oil consumed in the US is from automobiles- from clean air to foreign policy, hybrids are the only realistic short term option for weening off that beast.
Ron Shaffer: I agree. But the extra cost of a hybrid ($2,000-$5,000) offets the savings in gasoline through higher gas mileage (48mpg).
I'm not sure people are going to pay the surcharge, even though that would lessen our dependence on fossil fuels.
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Re: Monorail: Have you ever riden the monorail in Seattle? It's a joke! It only has a few stops in downtown. It's more of a tourist attraction than a transit option.
Ron Shaffer: Thanks.
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Washington, D.C.: The chief of police has the officers use their lights so it's easier to see them cruising around. I'd personally like to see lights on them when they walk around too!
Ron Shaffer: Thanks. Does that include full bar lights?
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Rockville, Md.: Are there any plans to do more to slow traffic on Norbeck Road near Muncaster Mill? They just opened an elementary school there this year and Norbeck Road has a 45 mph speed limit. It's just a disaster waiting to happen. Muncaster Mill is ... well ... Muncaster Mill, dangerous as ever. I never see any police stopping speeders there. I live across from the school and it's my primary concern as I decide whether to send my son there.
Ron Shaffer: I don't know. Write to Pogue at the address listed previously. Meanwhile, state highway officials are working on a ten-week drainage project on Muncaster Mill in the Route 28 area. Does this slow traffic on Route 28?
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Reston, Va.: How likely do you think it is that a Metro connection will be built between Greenbelt and BWI?
P.S.: I was SO disenchanted to learn that Dr. Gridlock drives an SUV.
Ron Shaffer: I think there is a good chance, considering Maryland, the entity that allocates state transportation dollars, also owns BWI. It is possible that Maryland could complete that before Virginia builds rail-to-Dulles, which would mortify the Virginians.
Couple that with Maryland's can-do attitude on transportation matters, and maybe that idea grows when the money-draining Wilson Bridge project is completed in 2008.
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Manassas, Va.: 80 miles an hour on 95 between the beltways sounds about right given the size of the highway. Fact is, the posted limit is a MINIMUM, going slower than the limit is more dangerous than speeding. Speed limits are set at 10-15 percent below what the engineers say is safe for the roads. Speed limits are a simple means of generating revenue via a speed tax.
Ron Shaffer: Silly me. I thought these were "speed limit" signs, not minimum speed signs. No wonder the cruising speed is 80-90 mph
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Re: Metrorail to Dulles: The orange line is above ground beginning in Falls Church -- I can't imagine the need to go underground to get to Dulles. They could have an above ground, possibly elevated station at Dulles.
Ron Shaffer: Don't we know that?
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RE: Ocean City bound driver: I think you should be fine driving to Ocean City via the inner loop across the Legion Bridge and through Bethesda-Silver Spring-College Park during the morning rush hour. Nearly all of the traffic will be going the opposite way. Once you get past Tysons, traffic on the inner loop runs at speed most mornings all the way over into PG County. Just don't forget anything (and have to turn around and go back home).
Ron Shaffer: I avoid Montgomery County's Beltway at all times. The outer loop, through PG County to Route 50, might be the better choice.
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Fairfax, Va.: I would like to know if the left turn on Red is still-legal if you are on a one way street turning onto a one-way street. My question is specific to Lee Hwy. at Fx. County Parkway where you come off the Parkway (South bound) and stop at the red light to turn left onto Lee Hwy.(East bound)??
--Carl
Ron Shaffer: Left turn on red, from a one-way street onto a one way street is legal in Maryland and Virginia (but not the District) so long as NO POSTED SIGN PROHIBITS it, and it is safe to do so.
The specific location you mention is okay for left on red; I do it frequently.
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Alexandria, Va.: What are the chances of the Yellow or Blue line being extended to Ft. Belvior with this BRAC reallocation thing? Which line would they be more likely to run down there?
Ron Shaffer: The Yellow Line (the Blue goes on to Springfield after diverging from the Yellow at King Street.
I think a good chance, considering the Metro Board Chairman now is Dana Kauffman, who as a Fairfax Supervisor, represents some of the area.
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Arlington, Va.: Dr. Gridlock:
Several months ago, I wrote to you regarding resources (re: driver education and training) for phobic drivers. Just wanted to report back a positive experience using one of the resources you suggested. This weekend, I took the day-long "Decisive Driving" course offered by Car Guys of Rockville. Although the course is really geared toward first-time drivers (I was the only adult in a class of teenagers), the in-car practical exercises (about half the day) were quite useful. You run drills in your own car, accompanied by an instructor who provides suggestions. Also, there are exercises in a "slide car", to teach new drivers (or anxious drivers, as the case may be), how to come out of skids. I found the course helpful in increasing confidence and improving defensive driving skills. I would recommend the course to other anxious drivers. (Note, I am not affiliated with the company in any way.) Thanks!
Ron Shaffer: Thanks for the feedback.
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Frederick, Md.: Good Afternoon,
The weigh stations on I-270 near Maryland Route 109 were refurbished some time ago. I rarely, if ever, see them in operation. Is there some reason they are not being used as weigh stations, or are they now used for truck parking similar to a rest area? Could these areas be used for a better purpose since the state does not seem to use them for their original purpose?
Have their been any further activities in alleviating the congestion on I-270? On an average afternoon, leaving Bethesda at 3:15 PM I arrive in Frederick between 4:40 PM and 5:00 PM. Don't even ask about Fridays!
Thanks!
Ron Shaffer: I'm also told that when they are operating (flashing yellow light) most truckers roar on by. I"m checking.
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Washington, D.C.: Does that include full bar lights?:
No, since it's not a emergency. They shouldn't be using this to go through traffic though. Then they need to use all lights and police horn.
Ron Shaffer: Thanks
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Strong Lobby????: Uh, we need a little clarification here. Motorcycles don't get the HOV "perk" because we have a strong lobby. We get it because, for one of the few times in history, lawmakers and DMWs can't escape that motorcycles have all the facts on their side. Motorcycles take up less roadspace (and parking space, for that matter), get WAY better mileage (I get 50 mpg -- does your Prius or Highlander hybrid?) and use far fewer resources to build and operate. They're environmentally friendly all around.
The vast majority of motorcycle accidents are, in fact, caused by car drivers who weren't paying attention. Trust me, if we motorcyclists had a great lobbying effort, #1 on our list would be to enact more stringent licensing laws to get you all to be better drivers. Which, coincidentally, we benefit -everybody.-
Ron Shaffer: Thanks
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Moving to West Virginia: Do you know if MARC has any plans to change/improve service to Jefferson/Berkely Counties WV? So many DC area folks are moving up there, it seems that upgrades will be in order soon.
Ron Shaffer: I'll check.
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Dumfries, Va.: Instead of focusing on HOV cheaters, what do you think of stationing officers at the HOV entrances to prohibit cheaters? Wouldn't it be better to stop all cheaters before they get on rather than catch a few of them?
Ron Shaffer: That makes some sense. I believe that is done right now on some roads into Manhattan. The violator not only gets ticketed, but has to go all the way back to the end of the line to wait again...
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Anonymous: When will Metro extension people understand that people are not going to go from shady grove, all the way down town, to go out to Dullus, Ft. Meade, etc. ...
They need an outer loop line such as the purple line to create a more modern user friendly system.
Ron Shaffer: The cost may be prohibitive. Also, where would people go once they got off a Beltway subway.
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Re: Daytime running lamps: DRL's are NOT headlamps. The Virginia Code requires illumination of "headlamps" during inclement weather. Section 46.2-1030 of the Code provides:
A. Every vehicle in operation on a highway in the Commonwealth shall display lighted headlights and illuminating devices as required by this article (I) from sunset to sunrise, (ii) during any other time when, because of rain, smoke, fog, snow, sleet, insufficient light, or other unfavorable atmospheric conditions, visibility is reduced to a degree whereby persons or vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet, and (iii) whenever windshield wipers are in use as a result of fog, rain, sleet, or snow. The provisions of this subsection, however, shall not apply to instances when windshield wipers are used intermittently in misting rain, sleet, or snow.
DRL's are NOT the same as headlights. DRL's are run at lower voltages so do not illuminate as well - in addition, as another posted has pointed out, DRL's are not wired in conjunction with taillamps. Turning headlights on illuminates the front and rear of a vehicle for visibility in inclement weather. In sum, DRL's do not cut it for compliance with the requirement to illuminate headlights in inclement weather.
Ron Shaffer: Thanks
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Ron Shaffer: Thank you for your participation today. See you in two weeks...
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