Good day to all.
In my state (more specifically, on the Indiana Toll Road), it is a practice to drop the speed limit as you get closer to the mainline toll barrier. For example, the speed limit on the Eastbound Toll Road goes from 55 east of the Lake Station ramp (exit 21) to 45 at the one mile ticket advisory, then to 40 within the half-mile. It's not entirely uniform, but the idea is the same. The Chicago Skyway does the same thing (going as low as 35 before the toll booth), and the Illinois Tollway Authority used to do it along Interstates 88 and 90 before converting to Open Road Tolling.
The question is: does your state use a similar practice, or does it use a different technique to warn drivers to slow down and prepare for a full stop (like a series of mainline rumble strips with shorter intervals the closer you get to the gate - a practice I personally prefer)?
I thank you for your responses.
The Thruway has no speed limit decreases at the following:
-Yonkers (55 mph)
-Tappan Zee (55 mph)
-Woodbury (65 mph)
-Ripley (65 mph)
-New Rochelle (55 mph/50 trucks)
-Buffalo (former; 55 mph)
-Black Rock (former; 55 mph)
-Cannan (65 mph)
The following are at the edges of a speed limit reduction from 65 mph to 55 mph; of these, the only one I suspect of causing the decrease is Spring Valley:
-Spring Valley
-Williamsville
-Lackawanna
-Tonawanda
-Niagara
There are no speed limit reductions on freeways that end at the Thruway either.
I've seen rumble strips at Williamsville and I-490's eastern end, but their use is inconsistent.
Toll roads should be renamed "slow" roads. There's nothing efficient about driving zero miles per hour when stopped at a toll booth.
Quote from: tradephoric on February 10, 2013, 02:24:29 PM
Toll roads should be renamed "slow" roads. There's nothing efficient about driving zero miles per hour when stopped at a toll booth.
Hence open-road or cashless tolling.
QuoteHence open-road or cashless tolling.
E‑ZPass ETC transponders do not work on all toll roads in the United States. Currently, the E-ZPass electronic toll-collection system (as well as the other ETC systems that are part of the E‑ZPass network) are not compatible with Florida systems (including SunPass and E‑Pass), California's FasTrak, Kansas's K‑Tag, Oklahoma's Pikepass, Texas's TxTag, Puerto Rico's AutoExpreso, Georgia's Peach Pass and Cruise Card, or other ETC systems outside of E‑ZPass operating regions.
My question is, do you have 17 transponders in your car for every toll you might encounter in America? Even if you have a transponder, are you able to blow through at 70 MPH for every toll you encounter?
Quote from: tradephoric on February 10, 2013, 04:57:22 PM
Even if you have a transponder, are you able to blow through at 70 MPH for every toll you encounter?
Yes I am. Sometimes at speeds even greater than 70 mph.
Now go take care of your efficiency boner before it totally gets killed, troll.
I'm making some legitimate points and you just resort to calling me a troll. At least the "troll" remark was original. :rolleyes:
Well, well, well. Someone is really against any form of tolling, and is basing their decision based on faulty logic or reasoning.
With my EZ-Pass transponder, I am able to travel on the majority of the toll roads in the United States with no problem. For other facilities, I can either be billed (pay by mail), throw change into a basket, wave my credit card in front of a reader, or pay money to an attendant. It's a long road to open-road tolling, but Texas is showing us how it can be done and at lesser expense to the taxpayer.
I don't remember the specific numbers, but the reduced the speed limits as they are posted in both directions on the Mass Pike approaching the West Stockbridge tolls (Exit 1) are unreasonably low for most road/traffic conditions. Traffic is generally still flowing at or close to 65 well beyond the point where traffic is supposed to slow to something like 35. I'd be interested in knowing what tolerance is generally given for speed enforcement in that area. In light traffic and good weather, I do not see much of a reason to slow down below about 55 until the last 1/4 mile or so before the toll barrier.
I don't recall if these limits were changed in response to a famous truck crash from several years ago:
http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1999/Truck-Rams-Mass-Highway-Tollbooths/id-2c4d4191de6585689fc1b493af26bd57 (http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1999/Truck-Rams-Mass-Highway-Tollbooths/id-2c4d4191de6585689fc1b493af26bd57)
Quote from: Sherman Cahal on February 10, 2013, 06:45:03 PM
Well, well, well. Someone is really against any form of tolling, and is basing their decision based on faulty logic or reasoning.
Who here has said they are against any form of tolling?
The speed limit through the E-ZPass Only lanes at the main toll plaza on the Dulles Toll Road is 35 mph. I regularly see people going through those lanes at 65 mph, and if I slow even to 50 mph I'm invariably tailgated. I'm wary of going too fast there–I've seen people stopping in those lanes looking for the exact-change basket and the last thing I want is to slam into a stopped car.
As far as ETC, I have both an E-ZPass and a SunPass Mini in my primary car and an E-ZPass in Ms1995hoo's. While they won't work everywhere, the only tollbooths we've encountered in the past five years where they wouldn't (not counting the Disney World tollbooth, where we didn't have to pay anyway) were the Cobequid Pass in Nova Scotia and the Rickenbacker Causeway in Miami (and I read the latter now takes SunPass). We simply don't drive to the states that use other systems–or, when we do (North Carolina and Georgia), we haven't used their toll roads.
Quote from: tradephoric on February 10, 2013, 04:57:22 PM
QuoteHence open-road or cashless tolling.
E‑ZPass ETC transponders do not work on all toll roads in the United States. Currently, the E-ZPass electronic toll-collection system (as well as the other ETC systems that are part of the E‑ZPass network) are not compatible with Florida systems (including SunPass and E‑Pass), California's FasTrak, Kansas's K‑Tag, Oklahoma's Pikepass, Texas's TxTag, Puerto Rico's AutoExpreso, Georgia's Peach Pass and Cruise Card, or other ETC systems outside of E‑ZPass operating regions.
My question is, do you have 17 transponders in your car for every toll you might encounter in America? Even if you have a transponder, are you able to blow through at 70 MPH for every toll you encounter?
Simple - I don't generally drive on toll roads outside of the E-ZPass Group states.
The MAP-21 law, passed by Congress last year, mandates that the toll systems across the country become interoperable. See TOLLROADSnews report here (http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/6033).
From TOLLROADSnews (with
emphasis added):
QuoteInteroperability within 4 years
Electronic tolling on all interstates and other federal-aid highways must provide for interoperability by mid-2016 as provided in a mercifully short provision of the Act:
SEC. 1512. TOLLING.
(a) AMENDMENT TO TOLLING PROVISION.–Section 129(a) of title
23, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
(b) ELECTRONIC TOLL COLLECTION INTEROPERABILITY REQUIREMENTS.–Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act, all toll facilities on the Federal-aid highways shall implement technologies or business practices that provide for the interoperability of electronic toll collection programs.
PA Turnpike drops speed limits around toll booths from 65 to 55, even when there is open road tolling available. Technically, the NB I-476 E-ZPass lanes at Mid County are supposed to be 35 MPH, but there is no regulatory sign posted (only an advisory speed on a lane shift sign).
Quote from: tradephoric on February 10, 2013, 02:24:29 PM
Toll roads should be renamed "slow" roads. There's nothing efficient about driving zero miles per hour when stopped at a toll booth.
Not when I can fly through at 70-75 mph in the ORT lanes on the tollway.
ISTHA used to slow people down before a toll plaza for a couple of years before converting the entire system to ORT. Now, there are no speed limit changes for the toll plazas.
Quote from: Brandon on February 10, 2013, 11:41:04 PM
Quote from: tradephoric on February 10, 2013, 02:24:29 PM
Toll roads should be renamed "slow" roads. There's nothing efficient about driving zero miles per hour when stopped at a toll booth.
Not when I can fly through at 70-75 mph in the ORT lanes on the tollway.
ISTHA used to slow people down before a toll plaza for a couple of years before converting the entire system to ORT. Now, there are no speed limit changes for the toll plazas.
at least they tried to.
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 11, 2013, 05:56:59 AM
Quote from: Brandon on February 10, 2013, 11:41:04 PM
Quote from: tradephoric on February 10, 2013, 02:24:29 PM
Toll roads should be renamed "slow" roads. There's nothing efficient about driving zero miles per hour when stopped at a toll booth.
Not when I can fly through at 70-75 mph in the ORT lanes on the tollway.
ISTHA used to slow people down before a toll plaza for a couple of years before converting the entire system to ORT. Now, there are no speed limit changes for the toll plazas.
at least they tried to.
I'll give you that. If ISTHA ever did an 85th percentile based off a speed study, most of the toll system would have 70-75mph limits.
NJ does not reduce speed limits approaching a toll plaza.
Completely opposite is the DRBA (Delaware Memorial Bridge). They reduce their limit to 20 mph nearly a 1/2 mile prior to the toll plaza. Compare that to school zones in Delaware, which reduce their limit to 20 mph a few hundred feet prior to a school. Who should be better protected, children or adults?
Quote from: tradephoric on February 10, 2013, 04:57:22 PM
Even if you have a transponder, are you able to blow through at 70 MPH for every toll you encounter?
Many roads with 65 mph speed limits have 65 mph speed limits in their ORT plaza as well. I'm sure the same is true on roads with 70 mph limits.
And that's just the speed limit - not the actual speed of traffic. So yes, transponders can be read at high speeds.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 11, 2013, 08:57:33 AM
....
Many roads with 65 mph speed limits have 65 mph speed limits in their ORT plaza as well. I'm sure the same is true on roads with 70 mph limits.
And that's just the speed limit - not the actual speed of traffic. So yes, transponders can be read at high speeds.
The Virginia State Police tested E-ZPass transponders through the ORT lanes on VA-895 prior to that road opening and they worked at least as fast as 100 mph. They never stated the top speed at which they tested them and I suppose I understand the reasons for that!
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 11, 2013, 08:57:33 AM
NJ does not reduce speed limits approaching a toll plaza.
Completely opposite is the DRBA (Delaware Memorial Bridge). They reduce their limit to 20 mph nearly a 1/2 mile prior to the toll plaza. Compare that to school zones in Delaware, which reduce their limit to 20 mph a few hundred feet prior to a school. Who should be better protected, children or adults?
Quote from: tradephoric on February 10, 2013, 04:57:22 PM
Even if you have a transponder, are you able to blow through at 70 MPH for every toll you encounter?
Many roads with 65 mph speed limits have 65 mph speed limits in their ORT plaza as well. I'm sure the same is true on roads with 70 mph limits.
And that's just the speed limit - not the actual speed of traffic. So yes, transponders can be read at high speeds.
I've only been on Va. 895 once, and I recall that it has a "modern" cashless/cash toll plaza, with high-speed ORT lanes down the middle. Unlike the aged Va. 267 (Dulles Toll Road) plaza.
I think when I was on TX 130 in Austin, Texas last year, I blew through the open-road tolls at 80 MPH.
I think A-30 drops to 70 km/h (~45 mph) then 50 km/h (~30 mph) approaching the toll booths. The rest of the highway is posted at 100 km/h (~60 mph).
Quote from: InterstateNG on February 10, 2013, 05:05:24 PM
Quote from: tradephoric on February 10, 2013, 04:57:22 PM
Even if you have a transponder, are you able to blow through at 70 MPH for every toll you encounter?
Yes I am. Sometimes at speeds even greater than 70 mph.
Try that on some of the toll roads out east. You'd probably get someone killed at the booths if you tried that. At the ones with gate arms you'd even damage your car.
Quote from: Jim on February 10, 2013, 06:52:41 PM
I don't remember the specific numbers, but the reduced the speed limits as they are posted in both directions on the Mass Pike approaching the West Stockbridge tolls (Exit 1) are unreasonably low for most road/traffic conditions. Traffic is generally still flowing at or close to 65 well beyond the point where traffic is supposed to slow to something like 35. I'd be interested in knowing what tolerance is generally given for speed enforcement in that area. In light traffic and good weather, I do not see much of a reason to slow down below about 55 until the last 1/4 mile or so before the toll barrier.
I don't recall if these limits were changed in response to a famous truck crash from several years ago:
http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1999/Truck-Rams-Mass-Highway-Tollbooths/id-2c4d4191de6585689fc1b493af26bd57 (http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1999/Truck-Rams-Mass-Highway-Tollbooths/id-2c4d4191de6585689fc1b493af26bd57)
No, the MassPike speed limits near toll plazas were always that show, long before that crash. They usually start with "Speed Limit 40" about 1/2 mile out, then "Speed Limit 30" within 1/4 mile. The limit through E-ZPass lanes in MA is 15.
Quote from: deanej on February 11, 2013, 12:45:37 PM
Quote from: InterstateNG on February 10, 2013, 05:05:24 PM
Quote from: tradephoric on February 10, 2013, 04:57:22 PM
Even if you have a transponder, are you able to blow through at 70 MPH for every toll you encounter?
Yes I am. Sometimes at speeds even greater than 70 mph.
Try that on some of the toll roads out east. You'd probably get someone killed at the booths if you tried that. At the ones with gate arms you'd even damage your car.
Many of the toll roads out east have open road tolling, which is what we're referring to here - not traditional lanes with EZ Pass.
And many, many people go thru at speeds above 75 mph safely.
Out here in California (San Francisco Bay Area to be exact), speed limits are reduced right at the toll plazas of the 7 state-owned toll bridges. Speed limits on the approaches are 55-65 MPH but right at the toll plaza, there are small 5 MPH speed limit signs for the cash lanes and 25 MPH signs for the FasTrak lanes.
Google Maps Streetview examples...
http://www.google.com/maps?ll=37.618056,-122.152259&spn=0.001668,0.001725&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=37.618012,-122.152395&panoid=4ZU0g-cdFk0_OyCA4Tf1hA&cbp=12,252.54,,0,-4.9
http://www.google.com/maps?ll=37.618055,-122.152258&spn=0.000417,0.000431&t=h&z=21&layer=c&cbll=37.618055,-122.152258&panoid=sCrKJ3ed3WtUWiX9U8B6vw&cbp=12,217.48,,2,-1.89
The only exception to this is the Benicia Bridge (I-680) toll plaza which features open-road tolling lanes for FasTrak users. While the cash lanes still have the 5 MPH speed limit signs, the limit on the open-road tolling lanes remain at 65 MPH which is the limit for I-680 as it approaches the toll plaza.
With all of that said, I don't think I've ever seen or heard of anyone getting a speeding ticket because of the 5 MPH limit at a toll plaza because....
1. They're already preparing to stop to pay the toll in cash
2. FasTrak users at a conventional toll plaza move into the FasTrak only lanes which have a 25 MPH limit.
3. Drivers naturally slow down at the toll plaza because the lane is pretty narrow.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 11, 2013, 02:44:16 PM
Quote from: deanej on February 11, 2013, 12:45:37 PM
Quote from: InterstateNG on February 10, 2013, 05:05:24 PM
Quote from: tradephoric on February 10, 2013, 04:57:22 PM
Even if you have a transponder, are you able to blow through at 70 MPH for every toll you encounter?
Yes I am. Sometimes at speeds even greater than 70 mph.
Try that on some of the toll roads out east. You'd probably get someone killed at the booths if you tried that. At the ones with gate arms you'd even damage your car.
Many of the toll roads out east have open road tolling, which is what we're referring to here - not traditional lanes with EZ Pass.
And many, many people go thru at speeds above 75 mph safely.
Pretty sure this thread is on regular booths - the post I quoted doesn't specify. And booths still dominate north of the Mason-Dixon line.
Quote from: deanej on February 11, 2013, 05:04:54 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 11, 2013, 02:44:16 PM
Quote from: deanej on February 11, 2013, 12:45:37 PM
Quote from: InterstateNG on February 10, 2013, 05:05:24 PM
Quote from: tradephoric on February 10, 2013, 04:57:22 PM
Even if you have a transponder, are you able to blow through at 70 MPH for every toll you encounter?
Yes I am. Sometimes at speeds even greater than 70 mph.
Try that on some of the toll roads out east. You'd probably get someone killed at the booths if you tried that. At the ones with gate arms you'd even damage your car.
Many of the toll roads out east have open road tolling, which is what we're referring to here - not traditional lanes with EZ Pass.
And many, many people go thru at speeds above 75 mph safely.
Pretty sure this thread is on regular booths - the post I quoted doesn't specify. And booths still dominate north of the Mason-Dixon line.
They may dominate east of State Street, but west of there (north of the M-D Line) is ORT.
Quote from: SidS1045 on February 11, 2013, 02:40:12 PM
Quote from: Jim on February 10, 2013, 06:52:41 PM
I don't remember the specific numbers, but the reduced the speed limits as they are posted in both directions on the Mass Pike approaching the West Stockbridge tolls (Exit 1) are unreasonably low for most road/traffic conditions. Traffic is generally still flowing at or close to 65 well beyond the point where traffic is supposed to slow to something like 35. I'd be interested in knowing what tolerance is generally given for speed enforcement in that area. In light traffic and good weather, I do not see much of a reason to slow down below about 55 until the last 1/4 mile or so before the toll barrier.
I don't recall if these limits were changed in response to a famous truck crash from several years ago:
http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1999/Truck-Rams-Mass-Highway-Tollbooths/id-2c4d4191de6585689fc1b493af26bd57 (http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1999/Truck-Rams-Mass-Highway-Tollbooths/id-2c4d4191de6585689fc1b493af26bd57)
No, the MassPike speed limits near toll plazas were always that show, long before that crash. They usually start with "Speed Limit 40" about 1/2 mile out, then "Speed Limit 30" within 1/4 mile. The limit through E-ZPass lanes in MA is 15.
The three biggest changes at MassPike toll plazas as a result of that truck crash in 1999:
Within less than a week after the crash, all fire extinguishers were re-painted bright red and had large "Fire Extinguisher (w/arrow)" signs placed next to them.
Within about two weeks following the crash, new "Trucks Test Brakes" signs appeared in advance of the mainline plazas at West Stockbridge, Weston, and Allston-Brighton.
Within six months after the crash, the current oversized "TOLL PLAZA 1 MILE (with flashing beacons)" signs were installed on the mainline in advance of the plazas at West Stockbridge, Weston, and Allston-Brighton.
Every time I go through a toll plaza at a Pennsylvania Turnpike entrance and I observe the posted 5 mph speed limit, I feel like the guy behind me is going to push me out of the way.
Quote from: hbelkins on February 11, 2013, 09:33:51 PM
Every time I go through a toll plaza at a Pennsylvania Turnpike entrance and I observe the posted 5 mph speed limit, I feel like the guy behind me is going to push me out of the way.
The joke on the Garden State Parkway when EZ Pass first started was they limited vehicles in EZ Pass lanes to 5 mph, while cars in the Exact Change lanes were tossing their coins in the basket at 20 mph.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 12, 2013, 09:24:47 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on February 11, 2013, 09:33:51 PM
Every time I go through a toll plaza at a Pennsylvania Turnpike entrance and I observe the posted 5 mph speed limit, I feel like the guy behind me is going to push me out of the way.
The joke on the Garden State Parkway when EZ Pass first started was they limited vehicles in EZ Pass lanes to 5 mph, while cars in the Exact Change lanes were tossing their coins in the basket at 20 mph.
I always thought it was a joke that Orlando area roads let you do 25 mph in the pre-paid lanes that was later raised to 35 except on Turnpike Enterprise Toll roads.
Even on open road tolling we have full highway speed allowed, yet when I went to Atlantic City in 04 I saw the ACE had you do 45 mph through the express lanes on a normal 55 mph freeway. I did not see the logic in that, unless there are conditions that exist that do not down here.
Quote from: roadman65 on February 12, 2013, 09:30:27 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 12, 2013, 09:24:47 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on February 11, 2013, 09:33:51 PM
Every time I go through a toll plaza at a Pennsylvania Turnpike entrance and I observe the posted 5 mph speed limit, I feel like the guy behind me is going to push me out of the way.
The joke on the Garden State Parkway when EZ Pass first started was they limited vehicles in EZ Pass lanes to 5 mph, while cars in the Exact Change lanes were tossing their coins in the basket at 20 mph.
I always thought it was a joke that Orlando area roads let you do 25 mph in the pre-paid lanes that was later raised to 35 except on Turnpike Enterprise Toll roads.
Even on open road tolling we have full highway speed allowed, yet when I went to Atlantic City in 04 I saw the ACE had you do 45 mph through the express lanes on a normal 55 mph freeway. I did not see the logic in that, unless there are conditions that exist that do not down here.
http://goo.gl/maps/I5Klc
It's the conditions - very little room to make a mistake. 2 lanes, no shoulders. Even the Barrier Protector Accordion thing practically hangs over the white shoulder line when first entering the EZ Pass lanes. And the whole toll plaza area is on a slight 'S' curve. When you enter and leave the lane, you are also leaving and entering the curve.
Of course, you can go faster than 45 mph...just pay attention!
The Egg Harbor toll plaza's speed limit is unsigned however, so 65 mph is permitted there.
Quote from: hbelkins on February 11, 2013, 09:33:51 PM
Every time I go through a toll plaza at a Pennsylvania Turnpike entrance and I observe the posted 5 mph speed limit, I feel like the guy behind me is going to push me out of the way.
I usually manage to slow down to about 20 MPH or so, assuming no traffic ahead of me.
Quote from: deanej on February 11, 2013, 05:04:54 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 11, 2013, 02:44:16 PM
Quote from: deanej on February 11, 2013, 12:45:37 PM
Quote from: InterstateNG on February 10, 2013, 05:05:24 PM
Quote from: tradephoric on February 10, 2013, 04:57:22 PM
Even if you have a transponder, are you able to blow through at 70 MPH for every toll you encounter?
Yes I am. Sometimes at speeds even greater than 70 mph.
Try that on some of the toll roads out east. You'd probably get someone killed at the booths if you tried that. At the ones with gate arms you'd even damage your car.
Many of the toll roads out east have open road tolling, which is what we're referring to here - not traditional lanes with EZ Pass.
And many, many people go thru at speeds above 75 mph safely.
Pretty sure this thread is on regular booths - the post I quoted doesn't specify. And booths still dominate north of the Mason-Dixon line.
Well I don't live north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Tradephoric's absurd generalization was what prompted my reply.
VVVVVVVVVVVV Hey, look who can't read through a thread properly! VVVVVVVVVVVV
Quote from: InterstateNG on February 12, 2013, 02:59:21 PM
Well I don't live north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
My reply was mostly made due to a faulty generalization than anything else.
Then I guess that you shouldn't comment on things that you know nothing about, now should you? :bigass:
I used to dislike speed reductions that are posted "too far" in advance of the actual toll barrier. However, it has saved me once or twice, when the lines of cars were quite a bit longer than usual. In practice, I usually just start coasting at the first sign, rather than actually braking.
I almost never brake for speed limit decreases, but that's because I drive a stick so I can't really coast.
Quote from: deanej on February 12, 2013, 09:07:19 PM
I almost never brake for speed limit decreases, but that's because I drive a stick so I can't really coast.
Sure you can. Pop it into neutral. Oh, wait, that's illegal. D'oh!
Orlando's toll road agency the OOCEA once threatened to take away your E Pass (we leave out the Z) if you were caught speeding through the old toll lanes at speeds over 25 mph then, you would get your E Pass privilege revoked. The way they made it sound, I thought they would use the cameras to enforce it, so I complied with doing 25 mph no matter how ridiculous it felt. I too almost got rear ended even months after the warning was issued. I often wondered why folks were not taking it seriously like I was, as if you would lose your privileges you would have to pay cash and wait in line, so word would get out and people would comply. Then, of course, I realized that the OOCEA was bluffing and did not use their cameras to check speed, and then of course they raised the limit to 35 mph later and still stands.
I guess its the God in me that fears authority, so I like do what hbbelkins did who slows down to 5 mph on the PA TPK, I do the same in my area.
Quote from: roadman65 on February 12, 2013, 09:35:22 PM
I guess its the God in me that fears authority, so I like do what hbbelkins did who slows down to 5 mph on the PA TPK, I do the same in my area.
Does the God in you fear grammar? Does the God in you fear letting a thread go without replying to it in some semi-coherent fashion? If you have the God in you, does that mean you think you're God? Actually, if God were exactly like you, that would explain almost everything about my life...
Quote from: kphoger on February 12, 2013, 09:23:42 PM
Quote from: deanej on February 12, 2013, 09:07:19 PM
I almost never brake for speed limit decreases, but that's because I drive a stick so I can't really coast.
Sure you can. Pop it into neutral. Oh, wait, that's illegal. D'oh!
I don't give a rat's ass about it being illegal. It saves fuel. But, you can coast with a stick in gear and even downshift to slow instead of braking. I love doing that to tailgators.
Quote from: roadman65 on February 12, 2013, 09:35:22 PM
Orlando's toll road agency the OOCEA once threatened to take away your E Pass (we leave out the Z) if you were caught speeding through the old toll lanes at speeds over 25 mph then, you would get your E Pass privilege revoked.
ISTHA has a small threat out in that regard, but really, I don't think they care much about the speed as long as no one gets hurt. Most folks go 30 to 50 through the I-Pass lanes that are next to the cash/coins lanes. The speed limit for those I-Pass lanes is 15 mph. I usually go 30-35 through them, but I have seen some go through at 70.
Quote from: Sherman Cahal on February 10, 2013, 06:45:03 PM
Well, well, well. Someone is really against any form of tolling, and is basing their decision based on faulty logic or reasoning.
What logic or reasoning did you use to to come to that conclusion?
Quote from: kphoger on February 12, 2013, 09:23:42 PM
Sure you can. Pop it into neutral. Oh, wait, that's illegal. D'oh!
I doubt that is enforceable. I coast with a stick shift all the time.
in fact, a lot of automatic transmissions are coasting when you take your foot off the accelerator. ever notice that the revs drop? yep, coasting.
Quote from: Steve on February 12, 2013, 10:35:44 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on February 12, 2013, 09:35:22 PM
I guess its the God in me that fears authority, so I like do what hbbelkins did who slows down to 5 mph on the PA TPK, I do the same in my area.
Does the God in you fear grammar? Does the God in you fear letting a thread go without replying to it in some semi-coherent fashion? If you have the God in you, does that mean you think you're God? Actually, if God were exactly like you, that would explain almost everything about my life...
I, myself, was pondering what reason God has to fear authority......
Quote from: kphoger on February 12, 2013, 09:23:42 PM
Oh, wait, that's illegal. D'oh!
Since when?
Quote from: Brandon on February 12, 2013, 11:54:05 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on February 12, 2013, 09:35:22 PM
Orlando's toll road agency the OOCEA once threatened to take away your E Pass (we leave out the Z) if you were caught speeding through the old toll lanes at speeds over 25 mph then, you would get your E Pass privilege revoked.
ISTHA has a small threat out in that regard, but really, I don't think they care much about the speed as long as no one gets hurt. Most folks go 30 to 50 through the I-Pass lanes that are next to the cash/coins lanes. The speed limit for those I-Pass lanes is 15 mph. I usually go 30-35 through them, but I have seen some go through at 70.
I think NYSTA is the same; the only difference between the 25mph lanes and the 5mph lanes that I can see is the presence of the crosswalk for toll booth workers across the 5mph lanes.
I usually go through the PA Turnpike lanes at 15 MPH (which seems to be the speed in Maryland and some other states).
I think the NJ State Police once parked outside the Egg Harbor Toll Plaza on the AC Expressway and clocked E-ZPass customers using LIDAR. Those going over 15 MPH were pulled over. Before the Express lanes were opened, I made sure I slowed to 15.
I go through the 5mph lanes at 10 mph, purely because my speedometer doesn't have any markings below 10.
I honestly don't remember the ISTHA using a "reduced speed limit sign" when approaching the old barrier toll plazas on I-88, I-90, and I-294. What I do remember was, in order, a yellow sign on the side or overhead saying "Pay Toll Ahead Cars $0.40 1 mile", a set of rumble strips, a sign gantry with black signs that said "Automatic Lanes" and "Manual Lanes", another set of rumble strips, then an overhead yellow sign "Stop Ahead Pay Toll" with flashing yellow lights, and then the 3rd set of rumble strips. That was their practice that I remember until about 1992 or so before any I-Pass was ever used.
Quote from: MASTERNC on February 13, 2013, 08:56:21 PM
I usually go through the PA Turnpike lanes at 15 MPH (which seems to be the speed in Maryland and some other states).
I think the NJ State Police once parked outside the Egg Harbor Toll Plaza on the AC Expressway and clocked E-ZPass customers using LIDAR. Those going over 15 MPH were pulled over. Before the Express lanes were opened, I made sure I slowed to 15.
The NJ Turnpike, Parkway & Expressway all installed dopplar radar units in the toll lanes to monitor the speed of vehicles, which are the small black squares one sees on the pole for the pay status display. It was publicized that anyone going over the 15 mph limit would be mailed a letter, and continued violations would result in the EZ Pass account being suspended. It was quickly learned that they only sent letters out to those going over 35 mph in the 15 mph toll lanes. Yes, it seems fast, but when you're mostly dealing with people that go thru the toll lanes at least twice a day, it's not uncommon by far. Within a year or so, they stopped sending letters out.
They have now posted speed displays in the front of the booths to show people their speed as they approach the toll lanes, encouraging motorists to slow down.
The closest Michigan has to such a situation, I-75 south towards the Mackinac Bridge, drops in speed from 70mph to 55mph approx. 1/2 mile before the tollbooths on the north side of the bridge. Coming the other direction, it's merely the 45mph/20mph truck limit of the bridge itself.
I believe it does something similar on I-75 northbound approaching the International Bridge in Sault Ste. Marie, but I haven't been that way in a while and Google's Street View doesn't show it well.
Granted, this stretch of I-75 is generally lightly trafficked. In the heaviest months, it sees about 17,500 vpd on the Mackinac Bridge. In the slowest months, it's about 5700 vpd. At the International bridge, it varies between about 4500 to 7000 vpd.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 14, 2013, 03:41:55 PM
speed displays...encouraging motorists to slow down.
He he he. I love those. They ought to put "˜PLEASE' plaques above them.
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on February 10, 2013, 01:29:05 PMFor example, the speed limit on the Eastbound Toll Road goes from 55 east of the Lake Station ramp (exit 21) to 45 at the one mile ticket advisory, then to 40 within the half-mile.
That 40 there is very, very new. As recently as 3-4 weeks ago (oy, it's a blur.) it was 45 all the way to the plaza. (For a month or so, I was running up and down the I-80 corridor between eastern PA and ChicagoLand every 3 days or so.) One driver got on the CB the last time I went through there and mentioned "Looks like too many people were slowing down to 45, so they had to throw a 40 in there."
Quote from: Crazy Volvo Guy on February 19, 2013, 05:11:00 PM
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on February 10, 2013, 01:29:05 PMFor example, the speed limit on the Eastbound Toll Road goes from 55 east of the Lake Station ramp (exit 21) to 45 at the one mile ticket advisory, then to 40 within the half-mile.
That 40 there is very, very new. As recently as 3-4 weeks ago (oy, it's a blur.) it was 45 all the way to the plaza. (For a month or so, I was running up and down the I-80 corridor between eastern PA and ChicagoLand every 3 days or so.) One driver got on the CB the last time I went through there and mentioned "Looks like too many people were slowing down to 45, so they had to throw a 40 in there."
I wish they'd rebuild the toll plaza and put some high-speed ORT lanes in the middle.
Quote from: Brandon on February 19, 2013, 08:27:28 PMI wish they'd rebuild the toll plaza and put some high-speed ORT lanes in the middle.
You and I both. Ohio as well.
Quote from: cpzilliacus on February 10, 2013, 08:43:24 PMSimple - I don't generally drive on toll roads outside of the E-ZPass Group states.
The MAP-21 law, passed by Congress last year, mandates that the toll systems across the country become interoperable. See TOLLROADSnews report here (http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/6033).
From TOLLROADSnews (with emphasis added):
QuoteInteroperability within 4 years
Electronic tolling on all interstates and other federal-aid highways must provide for interoperability by mid-2016 as provided in a mercifully short provision of the Act:
SEC. 1512. TOLLING.
(a) AMENDMENT TO TOLLING PROVISION.–Section 129(a) of title
23, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
(b) ELECTRONIC TOLL COLLECTION INTEROPERABILITY REQUIREMENTS.–Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act, all toll facilities on the Federal-aid highways shall implement technologies or business practices that provide for the interoperability of electronic toll collection programs.
The one thing about MAP-21 that caught my eye is that this section applies to only "toll facilities on the Federal-aid highways". Does this technically cover totally-privately-funded roads? My main concern is Florida because the only tolled portion of Interstate is the Alligator Alley on I-75. To my knowledge, all the rest of Florida's toll roads are state or county roads or bridges on state, county, or local roads. And how about roads like VA 895, TX 130, or WA 520? I didn't see any discussion about this particular detail so I wanted to bring it up.
As far as Florida, there are generally always warning signs at least 1 or 2 miles in advance of the toll plaza in rural parts of the state (like the northern coin system on the Turnpike). Toll roads in cities like Tampa, Orlando, or Miami have warning signs too, though these are closer to 0.5 to 1 mile in advance. There are no speed limit reductions in advance of the toll plaza, or if there are, it certainly isn't the norm. Lots of toll plazas in Florida have been upgraded to express ETC and toll collection can be accomplished at highway speeds or even higher.
I do remember the northernmost toll plaza on the Turnpike having rumble strips in advance of the toll plaza, but this isn't really the norm. The toll plazas on the northern coin system are placed pretty far apart, so I can see the reasoning.
As mentioned before, at ramps, speed limits through SunPass/E-Pass only booths are 25 MPH on FTE roads and (generally) 35 MPH on OOCEA roads (except for Osceola Parkway). Also, Osceola Parkway's one and only mainline toll plaza has a sign that indicates the vehicle's speed as it approaches the plaza. (https://maps.google.com/?ll=28.345099,-81.439605&spn=0.000002,0.001612&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=28.345099,-81.439605&panoid=VS2fqycfhktAAxUoF6HV-g&cbp=12,292.62,,3,0.48 (https://maps.google.com/?ll=28.345099,-81.439605&spn=0.000002,0.001612&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=28.345099,-81.439605&panoid=VS2fqycfhktAAxUoF6HV-g&cbp=12,292.62,,3,0.48))
Quote from: Ace10 on March 01, 2013, 10:41:21 PM
The one thing about MAP-21 that caught my eye is that this section applies to only "toll facilities on the Federal-aid highways". Does this technically cover totally-privately-funded roads? My main concern is Florida because the only tolled portion of Interstate is the Alligator Alley on I-75. To my knowledge, all the rest of Florida's toll roads are state or county roads or bridges on state, county, or local roads.
Most of these are on the National Highway System, the current primary federal aid system.