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Northern Virginia HOT Lanes

Started by mtantillo, August 14, 2012, 11:02:35 PM

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vdeane

Quote from: bluecountry on September 20, 2024, 08:31:05 PM
Quote from: froggie on August 16, 2024, 07:11:51 PMThat bluecountry post tells me that he does not understand zipper lanes or how a road zipper machine works.
I think zipper lanes are terrible, having a 2+2 is much better than 3+2 zipper.
So if you can't have the extra lane all the time, you want it none of the time?
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position of NYSDOT or its affiliates.


sprjus4

Quote from: bluecountry on September 20, 2024, 08:31:05 PM
Quote from: froggie on August 16, 2024, 07:11:51 PMThat bluecountry post tells me that he does not understand zipper lanes or how a road zipper machine works.
I think zipper lanes are terrible, having a 2+2 is much better than 3+2 zipper.
How exactly? Less capacity in the peak direction = higher tolls?

jeffandnicole

Quote from: bluecountry on September 20, 2024, 08:31:05 PM
Quote from: froggie on August 16, 2024, 07:11:51 PMThat bluecountry post tells me that he does not understand zipper lanes or how a road zipper machine works.
I think zipper lanes are terrible, having a 2+2 is much better than 3+2 zipper.

The Walt Whitman and Ben Franklin brushes have zipper barriers. 4 lanes inbound into Philly; 3 lanes outbound in the morning. In the afternoon, 4 lanes outbound; 3 lanes inbound. What could possibly be wrong with that?

bluecountry

Quote from: vdeane on September 20, 2024, 08:57:44 PM
Quote from: bluecountry on September 20, 2024, 08:31:05 PM
Quote from: froggie on August 16, 2024, 07:11:51 PMThat bluecountry post tells me that he does not understand zipper lanes or how a road zipper machine works.
I think zipper lanes are terrible, having a 2+2 is much better than 3+2 zipper.
So if you can't have the extra lane all the time, you want it none of the time?

2 lanes with shoulders will be faster than 2/3 with no shoulders.

sprjus4

Quote from: bluecountry on September 26, 2024, 07:45:47 PM
Quote from: vdeane on September 20, 2024, 08:57:44 PM
Quote from: bluecountry on September 20, 2024, 08:31:05 PM
Quote from: froggie on August 16, 2024, 07:11:51 PMThat bluecountry post tells me that he does not understand zipper lanes or how a road zipper machine works.
I think zipper lanes are terrible, having a 2+2 is much better than 3+2 zipper.
So if you can't have the extra lane all the time, you want it none of the time?

2 lanes with shoulders will be faster than 2/3 with no shoulders.
How...?

jeffandnicole

Quote from: sprjus4 on September 26, 2024, 10:42:14 PM
Quote from: bluecountry on September 26, 2024, 07:45:47 PM
Quote from: vdeane on September 20, 2024, 08:57:44 PM
Quote from: bluecountry on September 20, 2024, 08:31:05 PM
Quote from: froggie on August 16, 2024, 07:11:51 PMThat bluecountry post tells me that he does not understand zipper lanes or how a road zipper machine works.
I think zipper lanes are terrible, having a 2+2 is much better than 3+2 zipper.
So if you can't have the extra lane all the time, you want it none of the time?

2 lanes with shoulders will be faster than 2/3 with no shoulders.
How...?

I always enjoy his ignoring of decades of history that his theory doesn't hold water.

vdeane

Quote from: jeffandnicole on September 26, 2024, 11:54:34 PM
Quote from: sprjus4 on September 26, 2024, 10:42:14 PM
Quote from: bluecountry on September 26, 2024, 07:45:47 PM
Quote from: vdeane on September 20, 2024, 08:57:44 PM
Quote from: bluecountry on September 20, 2024, 08:31:05 PM
Quote from: froggie on August 16, 2024, 07:11:51 PMThat bluecountry post tells me that he does not understand zipper lanes or how a road zipper machine works.
I think zipper lanes are terrible, having a 2+2 is much better than 3+2 zipper.
So if you can't have the extra lane all the time, you want it none of the time?

2 lanes with shoulders will be faster than 2/3 with no shoulders.
How...?

I always enjoy his ignoring of decades of history that his theory doesn't hold water.
I hereby decree that @bluecountry be required to drive, twice weekly, on two different days, during daytime hours, the entire triple cantilever section of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.  So shall it be written, so shall it be done.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position of NYSDOT or its affiliates.

bluecountry

The BQE is not built to interstate standards.
Yeh, I think a TOLLED road with dynamic pricing will be faster if you can drive 70 MPH on two lanes that have shoulders and good sight VS a zipper lane.

sprjus4

Quote from: bluecountry on October 22, 2024, 08:34:35 PMThe BQE is not built to interstate standards.
Yeh, I think a TOLLED road with dynamic pricing will be faster if you can drive 70 MPH on two lanes that have shoulders and good sight VS a zipper lane.
https://youtu.be/dl0Q2bDnBUc?si=dxKNhuDv-khDfrq1

It's been done before.

froggie

To be fair, if there's an incident on a section without a shoulder, it complicates incident response and traffic far worse than if there is a shoulder.

There is also the matter that traffic tends to drive slower if there are impediments or obstructions within 6 feet of the travel lane...this has been written into the Highway Capacity Manual for decades.

74/171FAN

Some photos from 10/14/2024 showing that the I-95 Express Lanes Exit (NB)/Entrance (SB) to SR 2000 (Opitz Blvd) should be complete soon.  (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221526698797349&set=a.10221527682341937)







I am now a PennDOT employee.  My opinions/views do not necessarily reflect the opinions/views of PennDOT.

Travel Mapping: https://travelmapping.net/user/?units=miles&u=markkos1992
Mob-Rule:  https://mob-rule.com/user/markkos1992

1995hoo

Interesting to see the return of Clearview numerals. For a while, VDOT had been using Clearview mixed-case text but using Gothic for numerals and all-caps wording.
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

FLAVORTOWN

Quote from: 1995hoo on November 01, 2024, 11:09:05 AMInteresting to see the return of Clearview numerals. For a while, VDOT had been using Clearview mixed-case text but using Gothic for numerals and all-caps wording.

Someone chime in here if I'm wrong, but Im pretty sure FWHA restricted the use of Clearview to essentially only allow it for control city text. Those numbers should not be in Clearview...

Clearview font just looks gross and does not improve legibility at all to me... go back to the FWHA font, dont change if it aint broken

1995hoo

From the Washington Post (may be paywalled for some of you): A man took his RV on the I-66 express lanes outside the Beltway and got charged $569.50 roundtrip!

Note that he is not disputing the reasonableness of the toll. His complaint is that there is nothing more than a sign reading "higher tolls for larger vehicles" with no information at all about what amount might be charged. The article says VDOT blames the FHWA for that.
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

PColumbus73

Quote from: 1995hoo on November 11, 2024, 08:18:05 AMFrom the Washington Post (may be paywalled for some of you): A man took his RV on the I-66 express lanes outside the Beltway and got charged $569.50 roundtrip!

Note that he is not disputing the reasonableness of the toll. His complaint is that there is nothing more than a sign reading "higher tolls for larger vehicles" with no information at all about what amount might be charged. The article says VDOT blames the FHWA for that.

I read the same story elsewhere. Did some spot checking on Streetview and there are overhead signs that read 'Higher Tolls For Larger Vehicles' but the article isn't clear on where he entered the HOT lanes.

jeffandnicole

Quote from: 1995hoo on November 11, 2024, 08:18:05 AMFrom the Washington Post (may be paywalled for some of you): A man took his RV on the I-66 express lanes outside the Beltway and got charged $569.50 roundtrip!

Note that he is not disputing the reasonableness of the toll. His complaint is that there is nothing more than a sign reading "higher tolls for larger vehicles" with no information at all about what amount might be charged. The article says VDOT blames the FHWA for that.

Depending on his origin/destination, he would've gone thru other toll plazas, and they rarely say "higher tolls for larger vehicles".  It's just assumed.  So in a way, VA provides *more* notice than other tolling agencies.

74/171FAN

I am now a PennDOT employee.  My opinions/views do not necessarily reflect the opinions/views of PennDOT.

Travel Mapping: https://travelmapping.net/user/?units=miles&u=markkos1992
Mob-Rule:  https://mob-rule.com/user/markkos1992

1995hoo

https://x.com/VAExpressLanes/status/1857032755684479467

Somewhat oddly, when we were coming back from the Caps game last night, one of the electronic signs near Landmark was advising that the new entrance at Optiz Boulevard would open today. I found that wording a little odd because it's a south-pointing ramp. If you're coming from DC, or if you're north of Potomac Mills heading to DC, that ramp likely won't be very useful for you unless you live south of Potomac Mills and you plan to use it to go to the mall or Wegmans or something else around there.
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

jmacswimmer

#2018
Coming up in 2 weekends on I-495 in Tysons, as part of the 495NEXT project, is what VDOT is calling "The Big Beam Weekend": A full closure of the NB general purpose lanes, with traffic diverted to the express lanes, in order to set bridge beams directly above I-495 NB & VA 267 WB for the future ramp from VA 267 to the NB express lanes.

https://495next.vdot.virginia.gov/lane-closure-and-traffic-impact-updates/big-beam-weekend-jan-2025/

QuoteAs part of the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project, crews will install five steel bridge girders spanning 295 feet in length over northbound I-495 (Capital Beltway Inner Loop) at the Dulles Corridor Interchange for a new 495 Express Lanes ramp. This work is scheduled to occur over the weekend of January 24-27, 2025, and will require major traffic impacts on northbound I-495 near Tysons and at the Dulles Corridor Interchange.

During the weekend-long operation, traffic on northbound I-495 will be reduced from six lanes (four general purpose and two express) to two lanes and shifted to the 495 Express Lanes for about a one-mile stretch near Tysons. Traffic shifts and lane reductions will be in place for approximately three miles beginning at the Route 7 interchange until just past Lewinsville Road.

Additionally, the ramp from eastbound Dulles Toll Road/Dulles Airport Access Highway to northbound I-495 and westbound Dulles Toll Road under I-495 will be closed and detoured. Work and traffic impacts will begin at 9 p.m., Friday, January 24, with all lanes and ramps reopened by 5 a.m., Monday, January 27. Work is weather dependent and will be rescheduled if necessary.

"Now, what if da Bearss were to enter the Indianapolis 5-hunnert?"
"How would they compete?"
"Let's say they rode together in a big buss."
"Is Ditka driving?"
"Of course!"
"Then I like da Bear buss."
"DA BEARSSS BUSSSS"



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