Even with an extended barrier, as seen in the video, some people will still try to backup and get in, which could be more dangerous than the current situation.
I still don't understand it that much, considering a direct Express Lanes entrance is provided from that on-ramp just south of the where the camera shows, and a motorist can safely enter.
It looked to me like the guy who was backing up in the latest video may already have been on the highway, rather than coming from that on-ramp, so he wouldn’t have used the ramp from Eads Street that you mention. I think they need to extend the barriers on both sides. One of VDOT's reply tweets said they’ll be making some changes soon.
Are there any electronic variable message signs in this area that denote the estimated time to reach DC if you take the regular lanes vs if you take the express lanes? I believe this would be one element that could be helpful so that people who are concerned with the delay can take the toll route.
To fix this, as I said earlier, the best thing to do would be to remove the toll on the express lanes between the Pentagon and DC. This will allow the bridge backup to be distributed more evenly among all the lanes. Until recently this stretch was open to all traffic without restriction at all times.
If that's not feasible, they should do the following:
Lengthen the barrier so that it is simply infeasible for ramp traffic to get on at this express ramp
Electronic signs to display the delay so that drivers can make up their mind earlier. This should be done on mainline 395 and on VA-110 before the off ramp to 395.
Better signage on the ramps from VA-110 to get to the express lane on-ramps on Eads street.
One of the best signs to denote time, that I have seen in the NY area on the Cross Island Pkwy that tells people whether the whitestone or throgs neck bridge would be faster. Something equivalent should be done to compare the times for general lanes and express lanes.
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7784049,-73.7680705,3a,75y,351.51h,81.83t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5EWZ14EiSYpKWpuUmb2Vlg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en-US