Speed Limit Drops Approaching Toll Booths

[vdeane]

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.

[Brandon]

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.

[roadman]

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

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.

[hbelkins]

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.

[jeffandnicole]

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. 

[roadman65]

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.

[jeffandnicole]

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.

[Mr_Northside]

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.

[InterstateNG]

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

[StogieGuy7]

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? 

[kphoger]

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.

[vdeane]

I almost never brake for speed limit decreases, but that's because I drive a stick so I can't really coast.

[kphoger]

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!

[roadman65]

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.

[Alps]

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...

[Brandon]

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.

[Brandon]

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.

[tradephoric]

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? 

[agentsteel53]

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.

[kphoger]

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......

[vdeane]

Oh, wait, that's illegal.  D'oh!

Since when?

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.

[MASTERNC]

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.

[vdeane]

I go through the 5mph lanes at 10 mph, purely because my speedometer doesn't have any markings below 10.

[hobsini2]

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.

[jeffandnicole]

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.