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Westpark Tollway

Started by roadman65, May 17, 2013, 08:27:27 AM

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roadman65

I was noticing on someone's flickr page that the Houston, TX area toll road that is called the Westpark Tollway is not following the MUTCD guidelines on signs.  Instead of the usual green signs for exit guides, its using purple!  If memory serves me correctly, the NYS Thruway and Connecticut Turnpike both used blue signs years ago and were forced to conform to the standards that have been set on other freeways nationwide. 

Other than that, its basically the toll road of the future as there are absolutely NO TOLL BOOTHS and cash of any kind handled.  Just like LA 1, you must have a transponder to use it, although with LA 1 the operator of the facility does issue one day use prepaid transponders for one time users.  I do not know if you can buy one from Harris County or not, and if its interchangeable with EZ Pass as its name is similar and uses the letters EZ in its name. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22306412@N07/8731316173/in/set-72157633463162363 courtesy of FreewayDan
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22306412@N07/8731316439/in/set-72157633463162363/ also of FreewayDan
Every day is a winding road, you just got to get used to it.

Sheryl Crowe


nolia_boi504

I use Westpark Twy almost on a daily basis (NOLA born and raised, recently moved to the Houston area). My understanding is that the purple signs are a way to indicate that there are no cash lanes, while the green signs indicate that cash and electronic forms of payments are acceptable.

This document goes into detail about a study to determine how effective this system is: https://www.hctra.org/file_download/83/

I don't believe that the method of using purple or green signs has been standardized across all of the tollways in the Houston area, or if there is a plan to in the future.

This are no locations for a user without an EZTag or other acceptable transponder to stop and pay for a temp pass to use the tollways. However, these systems are extremely good and quick at reading license plates and mailing a bill to the vehicle owner. Theres also a program called EZplate which lets me add a friend or family member's license plate (from in state or out of state) to my account, so it bills me directly. https://www.hctra.org/about_faq/ez-plate

roadman65

Quote from: nolia_boi504 on May 17, 2013, 11:42:19 AM
I use Westpark Twy almost on a daily basis (NOLA born and raised, recently moved to the Houston area). My understanding is that the purple signs are a way to indicate that there are no cash lanes, while the green signs indicate that cash and electronic forms of payments are acceptable.

This document goes into detail about a study to determine how effective this system is: https://www.hctra.org/file_download/83/

I don't believe that the method of using purple or green signs has been standardized across all of the tollways in the Houston area, or if there is a plan to in the future.

This are no locations for a user without an EZTag or other acceptable transponder to stop and pay for a temp pass to use the tollways. However, these systems are extremely good and quick at reading license plates and mailing a bill to the vehicle owner. Theres also a program called EZplate which lets me add a friend or family member's license plate (from in state or out of state) to my account, so it bills me directly. https://www.hctra.org/about_faq/ez-plate
It would make sense to actually have the MUTCD install that in a future amendment as this is a great way to establish a way to let motorists know the road is NO CASH! It would be great on other electronic only toll roads. However, Disney would not be too happy about it as they currently use purple guide signs throughout the resort complex otherwise known legally as the RCID on their roadways.

I was also noticing that this here toll road has some narrow underpasses, and its very limited ramps leading to TX SH 6 in addition to that.   Even the connection to the Sam Houston Tollway is interesting with its narrow single lane ramps below grade and some Breezewood ramps in some of the other movements at that interchange.  One ramp even passes almost directly underneath a motel.   This whole freeway may not be up to the interstate standards, but I imagine that it does the job and takes a lot of traffic off the nearby local roads.
Every day is a winding road, you just got to get used to it.

Sheryl Crowe

NE2

Quote from: roadman65 on May 17, 2013, 08:25:24 PM
However, Disney would not be too happy about it as they currently use purple guide signs throughout the resort complex otherwise known legally as the RCID on their roadways.
Disney's non-compliant signs would remain non-compliant. Whoop.

(PS: the purple signs are on roadways intended for the public, whether RCID or Disney maintained. On the other hand, the RCID portion of World Drive south of US 192 is all normal green signs.)
pre-1945 Florida route log

I accept and respect your identity as long as it's not dumb shit like "identifying as a vaccinated attack helicopter".

FreewayDan

Quote from: roadman65 on May 17, 2013, 08:25:24 PM
Quote from: nolia_boi504 on May 17, 2013, 11:42:19 AM
I use Westpark Twy almost on a daily basis (NOLA born and raised, recently moved to the Houston area). My understanding is that the purple signs are a way to indicate that there are no cash lanes, while the green signs indicate that cash and electronic forms of payments are acceptable.

This document goes into detail about a study to determine how effective this system is: https://www.hctra.org/file_download/83/

I don't believe that the method of using purple or green signs has been standardized across all of the tollways in the Houston area, or if there is a plan to in the future.

This are no locations for a user without an EZTag or other acceptable transponder to stop and pay for a temp pass to use the tollways. However, these systems are extremely good and quick at reading license plates and mailing a bill to the vehicle owner. Theres also a program called EZplate which lets me add a friend or family member's license plate (from in state or out of state) to my account, so it bills me directly. https://www.hctra.org/about_faq/ez-plate
It would make sense to actually have the MUTCD install that in a future amendment as this is a great way to establish a way to let motorists know the road is NO CASH! It would be great on other electronic only toll roads. However, Disney would not be too happy about it as they currently use purple guide signs throughout the resort complex otherwise known legally as the RCID on their roadways.

I was also noticing that this here toll road has some narrow underpasses, and its very limited ramps leading to TX SH 6 in addition to that.   Even the connection to the Sam Houston Tollway is interesting with its narrow single lane ramps below grade and some Breezewood ramps in some of the other movements at that interchange.  One ramp even passes almost directly underneath a motel.   This whole freeway may not be up to the interstate standards, but I imagine that it does the job and takes a lot of traffic off the nearby local roads.

Let's not forget that the Westpark Tollway was constructed on very limited right of way.  There was once a rail line running down the Westpark corridor.  In the 1990's, METRO was planning to build a one-lane reversible HOV lane down the corridor, but those plans were canceled.  Then, in 1999 HCTRA bought half of the Westpark's 100-feet corridor ROW to build a four-lane Tollway.  The other half of the corridor is retained by METRO for a future rail transit line.
LEFT ON GREEN
ARROW ONLY

mgk920

Quote from: nolia_boi504 on May 17, 2013, 11:42:19 AM
I use Westpark Twy almost on a daily basis (NOLA born and raised, recently moved to the Houston area). My understanding is that the purple signs are a way to indicate that there are no cash lanes, while the green signs indicate that cash and electronic forms of payments are acceptable.

This document goes into detail about a study to determine how effective this system is: https://www.hctra.org/file_download/83/

I don't believe that the method of using purple or green signs has been standardized across all of the tollways in the Houston area, or if there is a plan to in the future.

This are no locations for a user without an EZTag or other acceptable transponder to stop and pay for a temp pass to use the tollways. However, these systems are extremely good and quick at reading license plates and mailing a bill to the vehicle owner. Theres also a program called EZplate which lets me add a friend or family member's license plate (from in state or out of state) to my account, so it bills me directly. https://www.hctra.org/about_faq/ez-plate

Do the Westpark guys still do the $100 or so fine thing for 'no transponder' cars?

Mike

Marc

Westpark has also been plagued by structural problems since its inception. It floods under U.S. 59 and has had to have sinking issues resolved in multiple locations throughout the years.

Now that the Fort Bend County segment has been open for eight years and due to massive growth in the "New Katy" area, rush hour on Westpark is a complete nightmare. Most days, it will take you an hour to travel the 14 mile route from end to end.

In regards to the purple signage. Only the Harris County segment uses purple signage. Once you cross over into Ft. Bend County, signs are the typical green you're used to.

On a side note, Westpark is expanding westward along the F.M. 1093 corridor. As we speak, it appears Frontage Roads are being constructed out to at least Katy-Gaston Road.

UptownRoadGeek

The purple signage has been in the MUTCD for some years now. http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/2009/part2f.pdf



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