They say that in life, timing is everything. I found that yesterday morning when I went to Sunday brunch with my wife. Had we shown up to the restaurant five minutes later than we did, we would have had to wait 45 minutes for a table. Instead, we walked right in and got a table right away. Our timing was perfect.
Traffic is no different. Timing is everything. The greatest example of this on metro Atlanta roads is I-85 in Gwinnett County.
You might have heard about the record HOT-Express Lane rates that were reached last week on I-85. On Monday and Tuesday the rate reached $4.55 to travel the whole stretch of the HOT lane between Old Peachtree Road and Shallowford Road.
On Wednesday and Thursday that rate hit new highs, hitting $4.70 for the trip. Friday's lighter than normal ride meant the rate only hit $4.20.
Some commuters paid the highest rate everyday last week. Others avoided the costly tolls by using the lane when the price was cheaper. The HOT-Express Lane, just like life, is all about timing.
The HOT-Express Lane has been functioning long enough that patterns are starting to develop. And if you know the patterns, you have a better chance of dodging the high toll rates.
Here's what I've noticed during the morning rush hour in the traffic center.
When I start giving my reports at 4:30 AM the HOT rate is at it's cheapest, only 16 cents for the whole trip. It then increases to 80 cents at around 5 a.m. By 5:45 it rises to $1.55. At 6:15 you can expect the toll to hit $1.90.
After that, the increases come fast and furious as the SRTA tries to maintain the necessary 45 mile per hour rate in the HOT lane. Between 6:45 and 8:15 is when you can expect the highest rates.
But, after 8:15, something amazing happens. The rates drop. Quickly.
Usually, on a normal day, by the time 9 a.m. rolls around the rate drops all the way back down to $1.55. This is where timing comes in and flexibility is key.
If you can adjust your commute to where you don't have to get on I-85 until after 8:15 a.m. you'll not only save money, but time as well.
At the height of the rush hour on I-85 it can take 45 minutes or more to travel between Old Peachtree Road and Shallowford Road on I-85 and the cost as mentioned before can be more than $4.50.
If you can wait until after 8:15 a.m. however, your trip time can be cut in half, and your toll rate cut by almost two-thirds.
In traffic, as in life, timing really is everything.
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