Why do people slow down approaching open toll gantries?

[kalvado]

How is the average motorist supposed to know what equipment is new and which isn't?  Much of the E-ZPass infrastructure out east is antiquated, even the ORT equipment at the Spring Valley toll barrier.

This is really what it comes down to.  Drivers don't know what speed the equipment can handle, so when lower speed is required, lower limits should be set.  If no lower limit is in place, just go through at the speed limit.

We all know that slowing down to speed limit+10 in left lane is already seen as a bad thing....
Manufacturer of EZpass equipment specifies entire product line for 100 MPH reads - although I am not sure if that applies to earlier tags (I believe my older tag is about 8 years old, and they replace tags after 10 years due to battery lifetime). It took some effort to find that information, though..   

[jeffandnicole]

How is the average motorist supposed to know what equipment is new and which isn't?  Much of the E-ZPass infrastructure out east is antiquated, even the ORT equipment at the Spring Valley toll barrier.

This is really what it comes down to.  Drivers don't know what speed the equipment can handle, so when lower speed is required, lower limits should be set.  If no lower limit is in place, just go through at the speed limit.

I can understand if people going over the speed limit slow down to the limit, for fear of a misread and toll violation, but there's no reason to go slower than that (if there is, the toll zone limit should be lower). 

Actually, that's the complaint that started this whole thread...people slowing down to the speed limit! 

In each case, the signs tell us what to do.  If there are no special signs, just go through at safe and legal speeds and don't make sudden changes.  If a toll point is converted to a full-speed system, it's reasonable to put new signs telling drivers to keep moving, to help people break the habit of slowing down.

The real issue is breaking the habit as to looking for a sign telling you that the toll was paid. 

I've often said those readers telling people "EZ Pass Paid" were always a bad idea.  You're never supposed to stop in an EZ Pass lane, and there's nothing anyone in the toll plaza can do about it anyway.  It conditioned some people to slow down and read the screen.  As time went on, most people using EZ Pass on a regular basis and not afraid of the system will often zoom thru without reading it.  But for those people that habitually slow down to read the message, when they use the open highway system, there's nothing to confirm the toll was paid. Those are the people that tend to slow down the most.  But in reality, regardless if you went 45 mph or 85 mph, if the transponder is mounted properly it would be read.

[Joe The Dragon]

How is the average motorist supposed to know what equipment is new and which isn't?  Much of the E-ZPass infrastructure out east is antiquated, even the ORT equipment at the Spring Valley toll barrier.

This is really what it comes down to.  Drivers don't know what speed the equipment can handle, so when lower speed is required, lower limits should be set.  If no lower limit is in place, just go through at the speed limit.

I can understand if people going over the speed limit slow down to the limit, for fear of a misread and toll violation, but there's no reason to go slower than that (if there is, the toll zone limit should be lower).  In each case, the signs tell us what to do.  If there are no special signs, just go through at safe and legal speeds and don't make sudden changes.  If a toll point is converted to a full-speed system, it's reasonable to put new signs telling drivers to keep moving, to help people break the habit of slowing down.

Well the ETC only lanes with gates in them need to go even more so for RAMP Tolls. All most took one out in IN. Sign says 15MPH but I was thinking like the IL ones posted like 15-30 but people going faster then that. Then seeing the gate deep down the lane. Was able to slow down by the time it went up just brushed it

[bzakharin]

I assume the ETC only lanes with gates can function as cash lanes, either automated or manned, if needed (and probably were converted from such)

[jeffandnicole]

They use gates to keep people from flying thru. At least the plazas in Philly & NYC converted to speed gates. I've timed the Walt Whitman Bridge ones well enough to know that at 22 mph it gives them enough time to rise.  I think the Ohio plaza uses older gates that slowly take their time to rise.

The US 1 DRJTBC ones were the worst. The reader was so far under the plaza you practically had the car kissing the gate for the transponder to be read. They finally removed the gates.

[ET21]

Coming home late tonight from work, I noticed this. Cars slowing down to 55-60 mph while passing through the open toll lanes. Anyone have an idea as to why? I know if there is a specific speed limit for the sensors and cameras to not detect your plates or I-Pass.

Because they're typical ignorant FIB morons who think that they might get a ticket for speed through the ORT part even when ISTHA has stated that they do not and will not fine for speed through them.  Of course, these are the same assholes who then speed up to 80+ between the toll plazas pretending the tollway is their personal autobahn.

So they are in the wrong when they are going the speed limit, AND when they are speeding?

Illinois: no driver obeys the speed limit. If you follow the 55 mph, you'll get pushed off the road. Sad but true.

[jakeroot]

Coming home late tonight from work, I noticed this. Cars slowing down to 55-60 mph while passing through the open toll lanes. Anyone have an idea as to why? I know if there is a specific speed limit for the sensors and cameras to not detect your plates or I-Pass.

Because they're typical ignorant FIB morons who think that they might get a ticket for speed through the ORT part even when ISTHA has stated that they do not and will not fine for speed through them.  Of course, these are the same assholes who then speed up to 80+ between the toll plazas pretending the tollway is their personal autobahn.

So they are in the wrong when they are going the speed limit, AND when they are speeding?

Illinois: no driver obeys the speed limit. If you follow the 55 mph, you'll get pushed off the road. Sad but true.

Except when they go under the toll gantry, where they go the speed limit, but are nonetheless ridiculed for slowing down. Even though they are also ridiculed for going 80+.

[Brandon]

Coming home late tonight from work, I noticed this. Cars slowing down to 55-60 mph while passing through the open toll lanes. Anyone have an idea as to why? I know if there is a specific speed limit for the sensors and cameras to not detect your plates or I-Pass.

Because they're typical ignorant FIB morons who think that they might get a ticket for speed through the ORT part even when ISTHA has stated that they do not and will not fine for speed through them.  Of course, these are the same assholes who then speed up to 80+ between the toll plazas pretending the tollway is their personal autobahn.

So they are in the wrong when they are going the speed limit, AND when they are speeding?

Illinois: no driver obeys the speed limit. If you follow the 55 mph, you'll get pushed off the road. Sad but true.

Except when they go under the toll gantry, where they go the speed limit, but are nonetheless ridiculed for slowing down. Even though they are also ridiculed for going 80+.

It's the inconsistency, not the speed that's the issue.

[jeffandnicole]

Coming home late tonight from work, I noticed this. Cars slowing down to 55-60 mph while passing through the open toll lanes. Anyone have an idea as to why? I know if there is a specific speed limit for the sensors and cameras to not detect your plates or I-Pass.

Because they're typical ignorant FIB morons who think that they might get a ticket for speed through the ORT part even when ISTHA has stated that they do not and will not fine for speed through them.  Of course, these are the same assholes who then speed up to 80+ between the toll plazas pretending the tollway is their personal autobahn.

So they are in the wrong when they are going the speed limit, AND when they are speeding?

Illinois: no driver obeys the speed limit. If you follow the 55 mph, you'll get pushed off the road. Sad but true.

Guaranteed 100% of motorists are not exceeding the speed limit.

[Roadrunner75]

It's the inconsistency, not the speed that's the issue.

This exactly.  It's the drivers who jam on their brakes just before the toll that are the problem. 

[ET21]

Coming home late tonight from work, I noticed this. Cars slowing down to 55-60 mph while passing through the open toll lanes. Anyone have an idea as to why? I know if there is a specific speed limit for the sensors and cameras to not detect your plates or I-Pass.

Because they're typical ignorant FIB morons who think that they might get a ticket for speed through the ORT part even when ISTHA has stated that they do not and will not fine for speed through them.  Of course, these are the same assholes who then speed up to 80+ between the toll plazas pretending the tollway is their personal autobahn.

So they are in the wrong when they are going the speed limit, AND when they are speeding?

Illinois: no driver obeys the speed limit. If you follow the 55 mph, you'll get pushed off the road. Sad but true.

Guaranteed 100% of motorists are not exceeding the speed limit.

Come on over, you'll see within the first minute

[ET21]

Coming home late tonight from work, I noticed this. Cars slowing down to 55-60 mph while passing through the open toll lanes. Anyone have an idea as to why? I know if there is a specific speed limit for the sensors and cameras to not detect your plates or I-Pass.

Because they're typical ignorant FIB morons who think that they might get a ticket for speed through the ORT part even when ISTHA has stated that they do not and will not fine for speed through them.  Of course, these are the same assholes who then speed up to 80+ between the toll plazas pretending the tollway is their personal autobahn.

So they are in the wrong when they are going the speed limit, AND when they are speeding?

Illinois: no driver obeys the speed limit. If you follow the 55 mph, you'll get pushed off the road. Sad but true.

Except when they go under the toll gantry, where they go the speed limit, but are nonetheless ridiculed for slowing down. Even though they are also ridiculed for going 80+.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't unfortunately