Managed lanes will benefit, not hurt traffic
Jay Bookman’s recent post on managed lanes misrepresents this important policy innovation in two ways (“The screwed-up philosophy behind ‘managed lanes,’ ” ajc.com, Sept. 23). He claims that converting a carpool lane to a priced “managed” lane will push traffic into the regular lanes — increasing congestion in those lanes.
Yet, experience with these lanes in California shows that the variable pricing in a managed lane actually increases hourly vehicle throughput in such lanes (compared with congested regular lanes).
That means the net effect of the I-85 project will likely be net traffic shifting from regular lanes to the managed lanes.
There will also be much larger benefits from projects like West by Northwest, which will add new priced lanes to congested I-75 and I-575.
More physical capacity, combined with variable pricing, will produce huge improvements in mobility there — and that is the prototype for the region-wide network of managed lanes planned for the future.
Robert W. Poole Jr., director of transportation policy, Reason Foundation
Spread the burden of military service
I abhor our practice of using only “volunteers” to fight our endless wars. Our warriors come mainly from the working classes, and we manipulate them to volunteer by giving them a job they can’t get in civilian life, and promising them educational benefits after serving.
To reinforce the appeal of volunteering, we call all of them heroes, clap when they come through airports, slap stickers on our cars, etc. For those who join for patriotic reasons, I salute you.
Our wars keep attention focused on “terrorists” rather than on domestic criminals. They also supply trillions of dollars to keep the military-industrial complex well-funded.
If Congress did its constitutional duty, declared war on our “enemies,” and sanctioned a military draft so the sons and daughters of senators and CEOs also served, these wars would end in a hurry.
Harris Green, Big Canoe
Acts of kindness can help balance world
On the news, I see dead bodies in the streets of Mexico. I read of crime in Afghanistan. At home, our politics has resulted in a bitter impasse.
I want to remind everyone that now (more than ever) acts of love, compassion and kindness are necessary to the survival of the world, and so many around us.
No matter how small and seemingly insignificant, they do have an impact toward good.
Jonathan Blase, Atlanta
