Traffic and Carpool Lanes

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

California is at risk of losing a bunch of federal funding because our carpool lanes are so clogged. Caltrans is contemplating a list of unappealing options to lessen the traffic. Meanwhile, folks across the country, but especially in LA are leaving their houses earlier and earlier to try and beat the rush and make it to work in a reasonable amount of time. LADN:

Jammed by growing traffic congestion, motorists across the country - particularly in Los Angeles County and city - are leaving home earlier and earlier just to try to beat the rush and get to work on time.

In ever-lengthening commutes, last year one out of every eight drivers said they left for work every day by 6 a.m. - up from just one in nine six years ago, according to new census data released today.

In Los Angeles County, where one out of every eight commuters already left for work before 6 a.m. in 2000, the number rose to one in seven as congestion grew from 3.7 million drivers to 4.2 million.

This trend is having a negative impact on the quality of commuters lives as they spend an increasing amount of time away from their friends, family and community.

Tim Lomax, a research engineer with the Texas Transportation Institute, a research agency in College Station, Texas, said research suggests civic involvement is down in suburbs where workers have long commutes.

"After a long commute, people are less interested in going to a city council or Parent-Teacher-Association meeting," Lomax said. "(Commutes) mean time away from family and time in a stressful environment, which results in a toll on people."

CalTrans is talking about upping the $341 minimum fine for carpool lane violators and increase the CHP patrols to catch offenders. The CHP is strapped for manpower as it is and such a move may require more overtime or officers.

The Federal Highway Administration requires carpool lanes to move at speeds of at least 45 mph during rush hour. Things are so bad that the bus drivers are now complaining about the slow rates of speed. Two of the obvious solutions are to build more carpool lanes and clean up accidents faster. Here are a few other ideas they are considering, none very popular.

read more