🚀 go-pugleaf

"Steve Lackey" <sal112@columbia.edu> writes:
>How about a couple of HOV lane signals that was controlled by traffic
>conditions, instead of an arbitrary clock? Then a traffic manager
>could decide whether to convert a lane to HOV based on time of day,
>type of traffic, etc. That could be another step towards "smarter"
>traffic management.

>Such a lane could also be converted to commercial use instead of HOV,
>to get the trucks and vans out of the way. Or signal a lane for HOV,
>a lane for commercial, and the remaining 6 lanes for everyone else?
>Or do Los Angelenos still think they need all 8 lanes or whatever
>on 405 and 101?

Well, yes, we not only need the lanes we already have, we need many
more in most areas. Our ratio of lane-miles to drivers is near the
bottom of all cities in this country. (Most new lanes should be on
new freeways; freeways wider than 5+5 have their own problems.)

One serious problem with today's HOV lanes is their accessibility. Too
many idiots swerve across five or more lanes of heavy traffic in only a
quarter-mile or so, anxious to get into the lanes or off the freeway.
I see people who have no desire to drive even as fast as the traffic
in the regular lanes who still feel they must use the HOV lane.

The limited entry points in SoCal contribute to this problem. But
unless special purpose lanes have their own entry and exit ramps,
the problem will persist. Caltrans recognizes this problem and some
such ramps have been and are being built. But if there were enough,
there wouldn't be a need for any vehicle to cross between HOV and
regular lanes. Don't hold your breath.

We already have essentially dedicated truck lanes in that trucks are
restricted to the right two lanes on most freeways. If they obeyed
the 55 mph limit for trucks, other vehicles would have to be even more
nimble than presently to cross those lanes to enter or exit a freeway.

Personally, I see only one possible legimate use for special lanes
on a freeway: automated vehicles. As cars are built with the ability
to use radar and other techniques to maintain a constant, safe, and
close spacing, it will be necessary to separate such traffic from
other vehicles. I suggest we anticipate the need to convert the HOV
lanes to automated vehicle lanes within the next ten years.
-- 
Dave Close, Compata, Costa Mesa CA  "Politics is the business of getting
dave@compata.com, +1 714 434 7359    power and privilege without
dhclose@alumni.caltech.edu           possessing merit." - P. J. O'Rourke