Last Thursday Captain Herb Emory and I did a special traffic show on the radio. We do a couple of these a year to give folks an opportunity to chime in on their commutes and get a general feel of what the driving public likes and dislikes. The focus of our show was the upcoming Express Lanes on I-85 in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties.
Joining us in studio were Malika Reed Wilkins, State Road and Tollway Authority director of communications, and Karlene Barron, Georgia Department of Transportation director of communications.
I was quite surprised by the negative reactions we received from many callers. If you aren't familiar with the Express Lane project, here are the details in a nutshell: The current HOV lanes on I-85 between Chamblee Tucker Road and Old Peachtree are going to be converted to pay lanes. Commuters traveling in that lane will now pay a fee (10 to 90 cents per mile depending on traffic volume). Single passenger vehicles are now permitted to drive in that lane. Vehicles with two passengers will also have to pay. Vehicles with three or more passengers get to drive in the lane for free.
Now, here's why I like the project: I want to reduce traffic congestion. That's my No. 1 priority. I feel that the Express Lanes will do this. Right now the HOV lanes on I-85 are woefully underutilized. Captain Herb, who flies over the interstate every day, agrees.
I refer to this as wasted pavement. Not enough people are using the HOV lanes right now. With the new Express Lanes, more people will be able to use that lane, making traffic lighter in the regular traffic lanes.
Picture yourself at the supermarket: You head to the check out line with your grocery cart and see that there are six checkout lanes, but only five are open. The lines in the five lanes are pretty long. The sixth lane opens up. allowing customers another option. By opening the sixth lane, the other lines get shorter and everyone can get out of the grocery store faster.
It's the same theory on I-85. More usable lanes equals lighter traffic for everyone.
Judging by the reactions on our show, it is easy to see that the group of commuters most opposed to the Express Lanes is people currently in two-person car pools. Understandable. But again, two-person car pools still have an advantage over the single driver. If those car pools want to use the Express Lane, they will pay 50 percent less, per person, than a single driver. Let's say that the trip from Pleasant Hill Road to I-285 costs $3 one morning. The single driver pays the full three bucks, but each person in the car pool only has to pay $1.50 each. Not to mention the savings in gas and wear and tear on your car.
Plus, I think if someone is already in a two-person car pool he or she is more likely than not to try to find a third person. And again, a three-person car pool rides for free in the Express Lane.
I also believe the Express Lanes are a win-win situation for the single driver. Even if a single driver never uses the lanes, he or she should see volume decrease in the regular travel lanes. If it normally takes a single driver 20 minutes to go between Highway 316 and I-285 on I-85 southbound,, I predict, that once the Express Lanes open, that trip time could be cut by five minutes. And now the single driver has the option to use all of the lanes on I-85, not just the regular lanes. More options means a better chance for a faster commute.
I know there are skeptics out there, but history is on our side. In every other city where Express Lanes were installed they have been successful. They have worked everywhere. And remember, no one is forcing you to use the Express Lanes. You only have to to use them if you want to.
For more information on the Express Lane project go to www.peachpass.com
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