Atlanta HOV lanes to become toll roads.

http://www.11alive.com/rss/rss_story.aspx?storyid=145474

Decided it fit better in OT, since it's about street driving..and not everyone on the board lives in Atlanta. (and of course, those of you in other cities with HOVs, please chime in!)

Personally, I think it's hilarious. Many of us who were against the concept of HOV lanes in Metro ATL before they were created often point to how empty they are during high-volume traffic situations ("rush hour", sports events, etc.). And of course, that's when we're not pointing to how empty the HOVs are 24hrs a day, and also mentioning that a lot of the congestion here is due to the rubes blocking the passing lane-because they don't know WTBerkeley an HOV lane is (they actually think we can use that lane to pass them) in the first place.

It seems that now that the state has money problems, they don't seem to have a problem with somebody actually using that deserted stretch of pavement, as long as you cough up some dough for it.

Honestly, I think that in Atlanta, the HOVs should be replaces with an "SAS" (Scared As BMW M3 E36) lane for all the folks that are...well, let's just say "uncomfortable" with the speeds we drive here. IMO, that would reduce congestion much more than asking people to pay to use some unoccupied territory.

But of course, it wouldn't bring any money into the house.

State sponsored Elitism. Every citizen paid for those roads but only the ones who can afford to pay the toll get to use them. "Move along citizen and lower your gaze. The royalty have specified you are not to look them in the eyes."

They did that to a couple of the HOV lanes in Minneapolis a few years back - they're still free if you have enough people in the car (or if you're on a motorcycle) but if you have a ridepass transponder in your car you can drive by yourself for a fee. The fee changes, based on time of day and amount of traffic. I think there was some controversy about it when it was first proposed, but I haven't heard any issues since. Like you said, there weren't that many people using them before, and if it helps reduce congestion in the other lanes why not.

I had to get used to 80MPH in an aspire going on South 75...

then, of course, I had to have good brakes, because people seem to think 40 is a good speed to merge onto the highway at.

stuart in mn wrote: Like you said, there weren't that many people using them before, and if it helps reduce congestion in the other lanes why not.

So "why not" just open then up to everyone and make it just another lane like the rest of the freeway?

We have HOV lanes here, in Memphis, and the few times I've driven when they are supposed to be in use....I was passed by pickup trucks and SUVs with just a driver in them, travelling at high rates of speed. Like red, left turn arrows and stop signs, folks ignore the HO part when they think it won't result in a ticket.

In a related note, Jacksonville, in the 60s and 70s had toll boths on nearly every bridge surrounding the city. They were finally removed when it was proven that the bridges were paid for, and that the toll booths CAUSED a lot of rear-end accidents.

I may have ignored the HOV lanes a few times through Nashville. You can just put a bag in the front seat and put a hat on it.

maroon92 wrote: I had to get used to 80MPH in an aspire going on South 75... then, of course, I had to have good brakes, because people seem to think 40 is a good speed to merge onto the highway at.

Ooooh. What maroon said. I've actually pulled onto the shoulder on the onramp, and just waited for an open space to get onto the road. Nothing worse than being stuck behind somebody going 20mph slower than the traffic while you can see that 40,000lbs of bananas gaining on you in the side mirror..

96DXCivic wrote: I may have ignored the HOV lanes a few times through Nashville. You can just put a bag in the front seat and put a hat on it.

Strange thing is..I'm so used to avoiding them that I don't even use them when I have somebody else in the car. I'll be stuck behind a LLB, cursing under my breath, and SWMBO says, "Hon, why don't you just go around him?" Oh yah. I forgot I can do that now.

I lived for a couple years in Atlanta 30 years ago.. now when I get up there, I can hardly find my way around.

It was fast then, and even faster now; I'm convinced it's meant to be behind-the-wheel training for a career in W2W racing (i.e. NASCAR)

NYG95GA wrote: I lived for a couple years in Atlanta 30 years ago.. now when I get up there, I can hardly find my way around.

Yeah, a lot of the native Southerners here joke that the whole thing about our constant revisions on the roadways is just to stop the next Northern Invasion.

NYG95GA wrote: It was fast then, and even faster now; I'm convinced it's meant to be behind-the-wheel training for a career in W2W racing (i.e. NASCAR)

Quoted Fer Trooth, NYG. When I moved here in the mid 1980's I drove 75mph, and was the fastest thing on the road. Twenty years later, on my daily commute, I try to keep my speed that low on the I-State, and hope that I don't get the people that maroon92 was talking about in front of me on the on-ramp.

Any of y'all thinking about moving to Atlanta Metro, I just gotta say that as much as I love living here..it's a seriously strange place to drive on the street.

friedgreencorrado wrote: Any of y'all thinking about moving to Atlanta Metro, I just gotta say that as much as I love living here..it's a seriously *strange* place to drive on the street.

Frankly, it only scared me when I was driving my work van, or that '67 Lincoln, or some other slug like that.

But when I take my Neon thru Atlanta on I-75, I let them eat my dust. Mikey doesn't even start to hug the road 'til about 90mph..it's crazy fun!

Put your cell phone in the glovebox, and don't blink for a second!

Cool.

friedgreencorrado wrote: ...is just to stop the next Northern Invasion.

I hate to double-post, but I can't help myself.

Sherman was coming through with his yankee troops and came upon Stone Mountain. A Rebel sharpshooter on the peak started picking them off one by one. Sherman told his best five soldiers to climb the mountain and take him out.

They never came back.

Not to be outdone in his March to the Sea, Sherman sent an entire platoon up the mountain to take out the sniper.

Eventually, one of the yankees came rolling down the mountain, bloodied and nearly dead.. Sherman asked him, "What's happening up there, son?"

Just before he expired, he replied,..

"It's a trap, General.. There's TWO of 'em!"

stuart in mn wrote: They did that to a couple of the HOV lanes in Minneapolis a few years back - they're still free if you have enough people in the car (or if you're on a motorcycle) but if you have a ridepass transponder in your car you can drive by yourself for a fee. The fee changes, based on time of day and amount of traffic. I think there was some controversy about it when it was first proposed, but I haven't heard any issues since. Like you said, there weren't that many people using them before, and if it helps reduce congestion in the other lanes why not.

Actually, that sounds like it makes a little sense. Load based cost. Like in London.

thank you Lord for letting me live in the country...

not only do we have neither HOV lanes nor toll rds but we have LOTS of great 2 lane mt rds to play on...

Datsun1500 wrote: And if anyone here would have read the article they would have seen that is exactly how it is laid out in the Atlanta proposal. Easier to complain without all of the information though... and call others elitist..

You damned right! Spouting off is so much easier when you don't trouble yourself with silly stuff like facts.

Note to self: Read article at the link next time to avoid being a knee-jerk reactionary.

I like the red lights at the end of the entrance ramp. Damn thing switches betweene red and green, one car per green, during "rush hour". It is supposed to allow you to merge onto the interstate with out any issues. HAH! Dumb ass driver will change lanes into any opening even when there is merging traffic. I also wonder how the light knows when there is an opening in traffic flow. I also drive a 4 cylinder Ranger, Slow as a sick turtle. I have to floor it and shift like a mad man to get to a speed to merege IF I stop at the light. There is one at the end of the ramp south bound onto 75 at Barret pkw. There is an entire lane that starts at that entrance ramp, no need to merege! Way to go Georgia DOT!

Datsun1500 wrote: In reply to Xceler8x: Just proof that you little people don't read

Did you just call me a small people!?

Back on topic..sorry for the diversion.

Man, I LOVE the HOV lanes in Atlanta.

The three times we drove through that rather croweded city, we stuck our truck and trailer into the HOV lines, and just went stright through the center. Two people in a two person truck.

No idea if trailers are allowed in the HOV lanes, but there were no signs against if for us tourists.

I remember what boggled my mind was the 7 lanes of freeways leading out of the city. I once was there on a Sunday, and had the whole thing to myself. And used all 7 lanes.

Hotlanta is nuts.

alfadriver wrote: Man, I LOVE the HOV lanes in Atlanta. The three times we drove through that rather croweded city, we stuck our truck and trailer into the HOV lines, and just went stright through the center. Two people in a two person truck. No idea if trailers are allowed in the HOV lanes, but there were no signs against if for us tourists. I remember what boggled my mind was the 7 lanes of freeways leading out of the city. I once was there on a Sunday, and had the whole thing to myself. And used all 7 lanes. Hotlanta is nuts.

Come visit on a Friday afternoon. All 7 lanes, bumper to bumper, for 40 miles.

We used to ride the HOV lane on I-75 into Atlanta, stop at Houston's to wait out the worst of rush hour and then take the HOV on I-85 to Road Atlanta pulling the enclosed trailer. Never got stopped or ticketed. I miss my trips to RA but not the rush hour. The track was much, much safer.

Supposedly the lanes will be enforced with cameras and drivers will be ticked/fined for breaking the rules. This could be one heck of a way to drum up money because I know there will be a LOT of people jumping in those lanes (just like they do now).

HOV enforcement has been a joke for years, but now that there is money involved it seems they are stepping it up. Funny how that works.

Here's an idea - set aside special lanes for the wealthy people so that they aren't inconvenienced by the rabble during rush hour. Oh wait...

nderwater wrote: Here's an idea - set aside special lanes for the wealthy people so that they aren't inconvenienced by the rabble during rush hour. Oh wait...

They are already there. I mostly see single drivers in pricey cars in the HOV lane. The fines have no impact on your license, they just go up in $ each time. So if money doesn't matter to you there is no incentive to not break the HOV lane rules.