Q: A recent news item stated that the toll lanes on I-85 had reached an all-time high of $12 for a 16-mile stretch. What was the average speed on the toll lanes as opposed to the congested lanes? What was the travel time for the 16 miles?
— Harry Abrams, Acworth
A: The average speed was 42 mph on the entire stretch of the express lane between 8-9 a.m., compared with an average speed of 32 mph in the general purpose lanes that day, State Road and Tollway Authority spokeswoman Malika Wilkins told Q&A on the News in an email.
The highest toll rate reached $12 for the entire distance of the southbound lane between 8:20 and 8:25 a.m., called the “peak of the peak,” she wrote.
That’s the “period each day where the express lane experiences very high levels of usage, which can lower speeds and result in congestion,” Wilkins wrote.
Morning rush hour lasts from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., but on that day, the “peak of the peak” was between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., she wrote.
Q: Weather forecasters speak of scattered showers and isolated showers. What’s the difference?
—David Dickey, Decatur
A: Isolated showers mean there's a 30 percent chance, or less, of rain, Glenn Burns, chief meteorologist for Channel 2 Action News, told Q&A on the News in an email. Scattered showers means there's a 40 to 60 percent chance for rain.
Andy Johnston with Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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