Showing posts with label EZ-Pass Flex. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EZ-Pass Flex. Show all posts

Wednesday, 16 December 2015

Today marks the first anniversary of I-95 Express Lanes

Express lanes as the name indicates are the fastest roads one can take to work during peak hours. The traffic flow is not only fast, but smooth too and the route leads to I-495 Beltway and I-395 lanes. Hot lanes are like the traffic hotline for when you need to save your time, a hot lane on an average day can save a commuter some 30 to 45 minutes. But the use of this road is subjected to a toll, which has caused it's popularity to be divided into two popular thought schools. Many believe that a few dollars are worth nothing in exchange for their valuable time whilst others argue the government is responsible for the provision of such roads for free, after all these were made out of taxes.
The I-95 express lanes comprises of a 29 miles runs between Edsall on the north and 610 on south. Most commuters that hit the road on a daily basis have a routine to follow, some everyday location to make to, in time. The fastest route you can take, almost no traffic jams and fast driving with almost no brake slamming make it a tempting option for many.
Launched on December 16, 2014 this project makes use of a distinct dynamic tolling, you pay tolls based on what kind of traffic you had to drive through as you accelerated your ride down the highway.  And laden with dynamic sign boards such as speed limits make this an exciting ride, much like weather conditions and human responses this highway is responsive to traffic conditions. Looking at the level of ease that the road has been able to provide the masses with has the authorities considering another extension in the project that connect to Washington, DC.
Lane closures are yet another reason to love this dynamic road, from changing speed limits to a constantly updated closure schedule online if a road could get any smarter it would take over the city. Lanes have been dedicated to commuters, for instance heavy traffic and commercial transport have their respective lanes making not only the commuting faster but smoother and hassle free. High speed mobility in a metropolis is a challenge, getting anywhere in time with unexpected traffic conditions is no longer the kind of stress that should bring you down before that important flight, meeting or appointments. Getting anywhere, everywhere around the city faster is the one thing that I-95 came with, unless you have a great deal of time to waste you should feel in no way but positively towards this marvel if modern day engineering and civil planning. One project done well.

Tuesday, 2 September 2014

Impact on Slug lines with the New Rules on I-95 HOT / Express Lanes

Starting from December 2014 the new rules issued by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDoT) will go into effect on the improved I-95 HOT Lanes (aka Express Lanes) between Route 610 in Stafford County and Edsall Road in Fairfax County. The new rules state that all commuter vehicles (except motor cycles) will require an EZ Pass or E-Z Pass Flex in order to be able to use the High Occupancy Toll HOT Lanes. 
 

Regarding these changes in rules, there comes a direct impact on slug lines. Drivers who pick up slugs have to buy an EZ-Pass flex, switch EZ-Pass Flex to “HOV On” mode and drive for free on HOT lanes.  Since 1975 slugs helped drivers to make use of the HOV Lanes, in return slugs got a free ride to work. It is an effective system and will be impacted with the new rules on I-95 HOT Lanes:

  • - About 10000 Hybrid Vehicles with clean fuel plates that were using I-95 HOV lanes as Single Occupancy Vehicles (SOV) during the peak hours will have to pick up slugs or pay toll. This may increase the demand for the slugs.

  • - Drivers that are waiting on the ramp so that they can get onto HOV lanes after HOV enforcement are out of luck. They have to pick up slugs or pay the toll to use the new HOT Lanes. This may extend slug lines past the peak hours.

With the new rules going into effect as soon as the 95 Express Lanes open in December, there is complete certainty that these impacts will definitely affect slug lines. However, all those vehicles with the EZ-Pass Flex will benefit from the freedom to use the HOT lanes for free when they pick up slugs or pay the variable toll between $.20 and $1.20 per mile based on the volume of traffic and zone.