The TDM Professional

It's Not About Rising Fuel Costs. It's About Time.

So says noted urbanologist and creator of the term "creative class" Richard Florida from his new perch as Toronto University's Director of the Martin Prosperity Institute. In an article in the Globe and Mail (The Days of Urban Sprawl Are Over...But Not for the Reasons You Think, July 11, 2008) Florida says it isn't rising gas prices that are sealing the end of development in the suburban fringe and driving consumer interest in developing and redeveloping neighborhoods closer to the core but rather its time costs that really matter. Says Florida:

"With the constant pressure to be more efficient and to innovate, it makes little sense to waste countless collective hours commuting. So the most efficient and productive regions are the ones in which people are thinking and working – not sitting in traffic. And, according to detailed research by the Nobel Prize-winning economist Daniel Kahneman, commuting is among the least enjoyable, if not the single least enjoyable, of all human activities."

He goes on to say that in the world's major urban centers the trend is even more pronounced "as talented, ambitious people trade more space for shorter commutes." Hmmm...reminds of the Think Arlington campaign. Regardless, it makes sense that smart people don't want to waste all that time commuting and that places without the long commutes will continue to capture more and more of the creative class and prosper.

Enjoy the article. Mr. Florida is always an interesting read.

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Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and The TDM Professional blog and is a biking/Metrorail commuter from Alexandria, Virginia just outside of Washington, D.C.

America's Most Fuel-Efficient Neighborhoods

Forbes.com which regularly brings us fun Top Ten Lists, brings us another one today (America's Most Fuel-Efficient Neighborhoods, by Matthew Swibel, July 7, 2008). Forbes tells us that according to the nonpartisan Center for Housing Policy, for every dollar working families save on housing, it spends nearly $2 on transportation. Their research shows that 15 of the 20 fastest growing U.S. counties are located 30 miles or more from the closest central business districts. Yikes.

We find that owning a home in a walkable neighborhood saves residents $300 to $400 a month on gas expenses alone. So Forbes asked the Center for Neighborhood Technology to help identify cheap rides in America's largest metropolitan areas as energy usage can vary widely within the same market. For example in Minneapolis-St. Paul, the average household in urban East Isles, drives 9,420 miles per year and spends $620 compared to 21,684 miles per year in exurban Rosemount, where monthly transportation costs top $1,000. In most metro areas, including our own, you can do the same.

So where are America's most fuel-efficient neighborhoods? Here's the Top Ten List:

America's Most Fuel Efficient Neighborhoods

Rank, Neighborhood, Monthly Transportation Cost
1. Brooklyn Heights (New York, N.Y.)    $643
2. Koreatown (Los Angeles, CA)          $658
3. Logan Square (Chicago, IL)             $742
4. Arlington, VA (Washington, D.C.)   $747
5. The Mission (San Francisco, CA)      $746
6. Fishtown (Philadelphia, PA)             $674
7. Jamaica Plain (Boston, MA)             $728
8. Woodward Corridor (Detroit, MI)     $728
9. Greenville (Dallas, TX)                    $745
10. Montrose (Houston, TX)                $760

According to Forbes:

"You can't always rule out the suburbs. The central location of Arlington, Va., which doubles as a government-contracting hub and a D.C. bedroom community to Northern Virginia's high-tech firms and Washington's downtown section, makes monthly transit costs here cheaper than large sections of the nation's capital."

Hat tip to Jeff Price for forwarding the article. Fishtown and Arlington are pictured.

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Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and The TDM Professional blog and is a biking/Metrorail commuter from Alexandria, Virginia just outside of Washington, D.C.

Arlington Services Make Your Commute Easier

As more people get frustrated with the traffic in the DC area and the prices at the pump, they begin to look for alternatives to driving alone. Often, they just don’t know the best way of going about it all. 

In a 2006 survey of Arlington residents, less than half of those surveyed were aware that Arlington has a Commuter Store. Even fewer knew about the CommuterPage.com Web site or the CommuterDirect.com online ticketing sales site. But those who do know about them are finding just how easy these services can make their commute.

One way to get information is from the CommuterPage.com family of Web sites. These sites provide everything from transit schedules and traffic and air quality alerts to this transportation blog, and much, much more. But does the site really help those who use it? Arlington County Commuter Services (ACCS) commissioned a study to assess the site in 2007. Among other things, this study found that many of those who used the Web site changed their commuting behavior.  55% of those surveyed made work-related changes to their commute (such as switching from driving alone to riding the Metro, carpooling, etc) since they had started using CommuterPage.com. 43% made non-work related changes. To see the results of this study, visit www.commuterpage.com/research or click here.

Another easy way to get information is The Commuter Store in Arlington. There are three retail outlets located in Ballston, Rosslyn, and Crystal City that provide information and services in locations that are convenient to travelers. Additionally, there is a Mobile Commuter Store that makes stops around Arlington. If you have never been to these stores, it’s time you checked them out. They have everything to make your commute easier from transit schedules and tickets to helpful service personnel who can tell you how to get the most from your commute. A 2007 study of the Commuter Store found that the service has quite an impact. 32% made a change in their work-related travel since first visiting the Commuter Store and 32% made a change in their non-work related travel. The study also found that more than a third of all Store users both live and work outside of Arlington County.  For the full results of this study, click here. 

Ever find yourself low on transit tickets? By using CommuterDirect.com, you can have all your transit tickets for train, Metro, and bus (as well as other services), delivered to your home or office. CommuterDirect.com account holders find it easier to commute using public transportation. A 2007 study of the CommuterDirect.com service found that 31% made a change in their work-related travel since first opening an account and 25% made a change in their non-work related travel.The study also found that 98% of CommuterDirect.com account holders surveyed live outside of Arlington and 94% work outside of Arlington. For the full results of this study, click here.

So the next time you feel that you have to face your commute all alone, remember these Arlington services and try them out for yourself – regardless of whether or not you live or work in Arlington County.

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Christine Dodd Evanko, SIR 

How Much Does Transportation Affect Your Quality of Life

Transportation affects our lives a lot, and according to a 2006 survey, most Arlington County residents think the transportation system and services in the county affect their quality of life very positively.  A telephone survey of Arlington residents conducted in 2006 by Southeastern Institute of Research for Arlington County Commuter Services revealed that 88% view their quality of life as good or very good, and transportation is an important determinant of that sense of satisfaction.  This seems like common sense, but the survey statistically documented that the higher people rated their satisfaction with the transportation system and services in Arlington, the higher their perception of their quality of life. 

Overall, 78% rated the transportation system and services in Arlington a four or five on a five point scale.  According to researchers this is much higher than in most cities.  Among the key drivers of satisfaction cited were overall ability to get around the county, ability to get around by bus, choice of transportation options, safety, convenience, and the time required to make trips.

Arlingtonians’ affection for choice is borne out by their usage of other modes than driving alone.  For work trips only 50% drive alone, compared to 74% average for the DC region, and much higher nationwide. Twice as many take transit in Arlington (26%) as in the rest of the region, six times as many walk (6%), and three times as many bike to work (3%). 

For non-work trips Arlingtonians’ dependence on the car is even lower.  In the 2006 survey, only 45% of trips were made by driving alone, and an amazing 33% were made by walking!  And of course, the less we drive alone, the more we all benefit from less traffic congestion, less pollution, less parking demand, etc.

All this is good news for Arlington residents, workers, and visitors; but it is also an aid to Arlington officials who are working to improve services and quality of life.  In future posts we will go into some of the reasons behind these statistics that confirm the importance of Arlington’s policies and services.  You can also check out the many studies at the ACCS TDM Research Center.

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Howard Jennings is a Metrorail commuter and manager of Research and Development for Arlington Transportation Partners, the business services section of Arlington County Commuter Services. 

Transportation affects our lives a lot, and according to a 2006 survey, most Arlington County residents think the transportation system and services in the county affect their quality of life very positively.  A telephone survey of Arlington residents conducted in 2006 by Southeastern Institute of Research for Arlington County Commuter Services revealed that 88% view their quality of life as good or very good, and transportation is an important determinant of that sense of satisfaction.  This seems like common sense, but the survey statistically documented that the higher people rated their satisfaction with the transportation system and services in Arlington, the higher their perception of their quality of life. 

Overall, 78% rated the transportation system and services in Arlington a four or five on a five point scale.  According to researchers this is much higher than in most cities.  Among the key drivers of satisfaction cited were overall ability to get around the county, ability to get around by bus, choice of transportation options, safety, convenience, and the time required to make trips.

Arlingtonians’ affection for choice is borne out by their usage of other modes than driving alone.  For work trips only 50% drive alone, compared to 74% average for the DC region, and much higher nationwide. Twice as many take transit in Arlington (26%) as in the rest of the region, six times as many walk (6%), and three times as many bike to work (3%). 

For non-work trips Arlingtonians’ dependence on the car is even lower.  In the 2006 survey, only 45% of trips were made by driving alone, and an amazing 33% were made by walking!  And of course, the less we drive alone, the more we all benefit from less traffic congestion, less pollution, less parking demand, etc.

All this is good news for Arlington residents, workers, and visitors; but it is also an aid to Arlington officials who are working to improve services and quality of life.  In future posts we will go into some of the reasons behind these statistics that confirm the importance of Arlington’s policies and services.  You can also check out the many studies at the ACCS TDM Research Center.

____________________________________________________________________

Howard Jennings is a Metrorail commuter and manager of Research and Development for Arlington Transportation Partners, the business services section of Arlington County Commuter Services. 

Is $4.00 a Gallon The Tipping Point?

From the Environmental Economics blog we learn from a recent John Zogby poll (Consumers Cut Driving But Not Diets, May 21, 2008, Reuters) that while with rising food prices people are buying less expensive food they are eating the same amount. However, in coping with rising gasoline prices Americans are beginning to make changes in order to save. From the article:

Nearly half of respondents to a Reuters/Zogby poll of likely voters in the presidential election later this year said they are driving less to compensate for record U.S. gasoline prices, which hit a record average of $3.80 per gallon on Tuesday according to travel club AAA..."People have more control over gasoline. They are driving less* and driving smarter," pollster John Zogby said by telephone.

The article goes on to say that:

Private spending data supports the poll's finding on gasoline demand. U.S. drivers pumped nearly 7 percent less gasoline for the week ending May 16 than they did the same week last year, Mastercard Advisors said this week.

Data from WMATA shows that ridership is up, despite the recent rise in fares. So is this small price sensitivity to gasoline beginning to change habits? Are people driving a bit less, switching modes or both? The pollster goes on to say that according to their research $4.00 may be the point where people make real changes:

"People have been saying that once prices hit $4.00, they are going to adjust their lifestyles and cutting back driving is one way they are doing it," he said.

I wonder if this will be so. Or are people slowly getting accustomed to higher prices? Either way, those of us in the industry need to help people find options to save money by driving alone less. If you live or work in Arlington our Car-Free Diet is a great place to start. You can even calculate what you'll save by driving less! If you live or work elsewhere start with CommuterPage.com or CommuterConnections.com. And stay tuned as we see if prices rise and what will happen as a result.

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Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and The TDM Professional blog and is a biking/Metrorail commuter from Alexandria, Virginia just outside of Washington, D.C..

America's Most Congested Cities

This week Forbes Magazine ranked America's most congested cities (America's Most Congested Cities, April 10, 2008, by Matt Woolsey). Guess what? We're #1! Oy. We seem to make progress and now we learn that by Forbes' index that takes into account the longest commuting times and the longest delays, the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is the worst. The ranking:

                             Commutes Longer    Annual Hours
City                       Than 45 Minutes    Delay Per Person

1. Washington, D.C.             28.3%           60
2. Atlanta                            24.0%            60
3. Los Angeles                     19.0%            72
4. San Francisco                  24.0%            60
5. Houston                          17.3%            56
6. New York                         43.0%            43
7. Riverside-San Bernadino  23.0%             49
8. Chicago                           25.0%            46
9. Dallas                              16.5%            58
10. Boston                           20.0%            46

Says Forbes about our area:

"The D.C. Beltway is legendary for its ability to cause residents frustration. What has made things worse over the last few years is increased suburban sprawl. This has put additional stress on roadways, because very few of the area's new housing developments link up with the Washington metropolitan train system, which services the District of Columbia and immediate suburbs very well, but doesn't link up to most of the Virginia and Maryland population centers."

True enough. Guess we have a lot of work to do still.

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Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and The TDM Professional blog and is a biking/Metrorail commuter from Alexandria, Virginia just outside of Washington, D.C.

This week Forbes Magazine ranked America's most congested cities (America's Most Congested Cities, April 10, 2008, by Matt Woolsey). Guess what? We're #1! Oy. We seem to make progress and now we learn that by Forbes' index that takes into account the longest commuting times and the longest delays, the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is the worst. The ranking:

                             Commutes Longer    Annual Hours
City                       Than 45 Minutes    Delay Per Person

1. Washington, D.C.             28.3%           60
2. Atlanta                            24.0%            60
3. Los Angeles                     19.0%            72
4. San Francisco                  24.0%            60
5. Houston                          17.3%            56
6. New York                         43.0%            43
7. Riverside-San Bernadino  23.0%             49
8. Chicago                           25.0%            46
9. Dallas                              16.5%            58
10. Boston                           20.0%            46

Says Forbes about our area:

"The D.C. Beltway is legendary for its ability to cause residents frustration. What has made things worse over the last few years is increased suburban sprawl. This has put additional stress on roadways, because very few of the area's new housing developments link up with the Washington metropolitan train system, which services the District of Columbia and immediate suburbs very well, but doesn't link up to most of the Virginia and Maryland population centers."

True enough. Guess we have a lot of work to do still.

Best of 2007 on CommuterPageBlog: Five Bad Ideas or Disappointments, Eight Things To Keep Our Eyes On and a Few Funny Stories

This is the last of three posts in a series looking at some of the best stories of 2007 from our sister CommuterPageBlog: The series includes:

1. Twenty Reports That Made Us Think, January 2
2. Ten Good Ideas, Plus One, That Emerged, January 3
3. Five Bad Ideas or Disappointments, Eight Things To Keep Our Eyes On and a Few Funny Stories

For Washingtonians, there are two posts on CommuterPageBlog that pertain just to that area, they are:

1. A Dozen Good News Items in Arlington, December 28
2. Ten Good News Stories Around the Washington, D.C. Region, December 29

Today, we take a look at some bad ideas, some disappointments or setbacks, a few funny stories and a few things we'll need to worry about and keep our eye on. Enjoy the look back.

Five Bad Ideas or Disappointments, Eight Things To Keep Our Eyes On, a Few Funny Stories and Our Favorite Post

Five Bad Ideas or Disappointments

1. If you're going to extend Metrorail out to Dulles, shouldn't it a least be underground in Tysons and follow the Arlington model?
   How Sad to See Such a Major Mistake on Dulles Rail, June 23
2. This is one we didn't agree with. Big business and big interests won the day as the HOT (Lexus) Lanes were eventually approved. So let's make sure that when they build the HOT lanes that they protect the carpools and buses.
   Lexus Lanes Just Wrong, March 25
   Lexus Lane Plan Too Good to Be True?, April 18
   Common Sense Trumps Technology When it Comes To Protecting Our HOV Lanes, April 24
3. Thank goodness we only have one more year of these folks.
   Surprise! Feds Send Mixed Signals on Commuting Policy, August 16
   Uninformed: Transportation Secretary Says Bikes Aren't Transportation, August 21
4. Our sources at the Association for Commuter Transportation have recently told us that even providing the modest proposed amount of $25 per month for bikers was jettisoned from the Energy Bill. Sad...
   Tax Credits for Biking to Work in Virginia?, January 29
   Could Biking Soon Join Parking, Transit and Vanpooling as a Tax Free Benefit, June 22
   Hope for Bicycle Commuter ACT, July 2
   House Passes Energy Bill, Includes Bike Commuters, August 14
5. Another year, another lost opportunity to do the right thing. Don't hold your breath on this one either...
   Transit Parity With Parking at Last?, February 22

Eight Things to Keep Our Eyes On

1. This post received some of the most traffic and comments of the entire year. This issue is for the distant future, but something to watch nonetheless.
   Orange Crush Make for Blue Customers in South Arlington & Alexandria, August 1
2. We agree with the good Dr. that its a bad idea and hope VDOT sticks to its promise to end the hybrid exemption at the end of this fiscal year (June 30, 2008).
   The Dr. Says No to Hybrids in HOV Lanes, April 15
3. This nightmare is going to last years. Here's hoping State and local agencies can get a handle on this or everyone will suffer.
   Tysons Corner - What a Mess, January 28
   Construction Project Could Make Region's Congestion Worse, July 29
4. When it comes to reducing traffic or getting more people to ride the bus, we still have a lot of work to do.
   Easing Traffic Not So Easy, April 25
   Riding the Bus, Not Easy, April 10
   Are Printed Transit Information Materials a Significant Barrier to Transit Use?, August 23
5. Even Dr. Gridlock couldn't figure this out. This is something, I hope, we can work to improve.
   16? 2? 53a? &%**#!!, November 10
6. We'll have to wait and see whether or not one is better than two. We kinda liked having two. We wish the new Zipcar good luck!
   Is Carshare Merger a Sign of Progress?, November 1
7. Baseball and non-baseball fans alike will be rooting for the Nationals and the City to get the transportation situation at the gleaming new ballpark settled by Opening Day. Here's wishing everyone good luck!
   Dark Clouds Next Year Over the Nationals Parking Situation, August 31
8. This is the big one. Something that needs to be confronted at every level.
   Life -- After Cheap Oil, August 6, 2007

Three Funny Stories

1. Whether or not the series is really funny or not we hope it lasts a while because it demonstrates the benefits of carpooling with every episode. It's like free advertising.
   Carpoolers...Coming to a TV Near You, August 3
   Tune In To See How Much Fun You Could Have Carpooling, September 26
2. Oh the horror. Some people had to walk from their McMansion's all the way to their mailbox. The most absurd story of the year.
   Suburban Angst Caused By Walking To Get Mail, June 17
3. The funniest transportation commercial of the year (ad appears at top of post). Only the folks from the land down under could have pulled off something so edgy.
   A Different Approach To Combating Speeding, June 27
   

One Favorite Post

1. Our favorite post of the year. Okay, we liked it because Jim Bacon's article said so many nice things about our program and Arlington. Sorry but this one's a keeper...
   Vanquishing the Density Demon, August 13

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Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and The TDM Professional blog and is a biking/Metrorail commuter from Alexandria, Virginia just outside of Washington, D.C.

Best of 2007 on CommuterPageBlog: Ten Good Ideas, Plus One, That Emerged

This is the second of three posts in a series looking at some of the best stories of 2007 from our sister CommuterPageBlog: The series includes:

1. Twenty Reports That Made Us Think, January 2
2. Ten Good Ideas, Plus One, That Emerged
3. Bad Ideas, Disappointments, a Few Funny Stories and Some Things To Worry About or Work On

For Washingtonians, there are two posts on CommuterPageBlog that pertain just to that area, they are:

1. A Dozen Good News Items in Arlington, December 28
2. Ten Good News Stories Around the Washington, D.C. Region, December 29

Today, we take a look at ten good ideas, plus one, that emerged and were were covered on the blog during 2007. Enjoy the look back.

Ten Good Ideas, Plus One, That Emerged

11. We think it's both.
Bike Parking or Art?, January 29

10. What an illuminating idea. Every biker should have these!
Bicycle Safety on the Side, October 31

9. Before heading out the door check out this handy website for a quick look at traffic.
Jamfactor8.5 Meters are in the Red, Check the Webcams!!, April 11

8. Are those folks from the land down under on to something here? Can you combine the best of carpooling and slugging and formalize it so even more people can share the ride?
Is a More Formalized Slugging in Our Future?, May 3
Flexible Carpooling - Coffee Included - Coming to the States?, August 24

7. Okay if they can even think about doing this in Los Angeles, shouldn't we study the idea around here?
Carfree Boulevards. Could it Work Here?, July 31

6. If our region is #1 in walkability than shouldn't we be making a better effort at becoming #1 in biking too? Here's an idea that could help build that culture where everyone participates.
Another Car-Free Idea from Mexico City, August 2
Could Bogota's Example Lead to Ciclovia: Metro Washington, D.C.?, December 8

5. From the people who brought you Zipcar, comes the next generation of ridesharing. Everybody GoLoco!
Ridesharing 2.0, April 25
Ridesharing 2.0 Revisited - GoLoco!, August 22

4. Who doesn't love Google and Google Maps? When you start combining that know-how with transit, good things are bound to happen.
Rail Stops and Google - It's Better than Chocolate, February 13
Google Transit, March 2
Google Maps Credited with Increase in Duluth's Transit Ridership, August 26
Google Transit Now Available in 19 U.S. Cities, October 7

3. My teleworking co-worker swears by this little gizmo which he uses daily. A must have for transferring files back and forth between home and work safely and quickly.
Teleworking's New "Toy", July 30

2. Our favorite little site for 2007. And of course it uses Google Maps.
How Walkable is Your Neighborhood?, July 18

1. The best idea since carsharing. We can't wait for DC and Arlington to start their bikesharing programs. It's so European!
Bike-sharing Arrives in Paris, July 18
Bikesharing Coming to the U.S., November 16

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Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and The TDM Professional blog and is a biking/Metrorail commuter from Alexandria, Virginia just outside of Washington, D.C.

Best of 2007 on CommuterPageBlog: Twenty Reports That Made Us Think

Today we bring you the first of three posts in a series looking at some of the best stories of 2007 from our sister CommuterPageBlog. Our series includes::

1. Twenty Reports That Made Us Think
2. Ten Good Ideas, Plus One, That Emerged
3. Bad Ideas, Disappointments, a Few Funny Stories and Some Things To Worry About or Work On

For Washingtonians, there are two posts on CommuterPageBlog that pertain just to that area, they are:

1. A Dozen Good News Items in Arlington, December 28
2. Ten Good News Stories Around the Washington, D.C. Region, December 29

Today we highlight twenty posts that were based on some interesting reports, studies or findings in the press. There's a lot of data here. Dive in and enjoy.

Twenty Reports That Made Us Think

1. American Drivers Drive Fewer Miles, January 31
2. Information, Information, Information, March 28
3. Extreme Commutes and Your Health, April 17
4. Is Taller Better, Another Call for More Density, May 2
5. U.S. News Explores America's War on Traffic, May 10
6. Cheaper Housing, Better Pay - But at What Price?, June 3
7. Pedestrians Faster Than Cars?, June 6
8. Can Transit Revive a City?, June 15
9. More Data on Congestion, June 29
10. Vanquishing the Density Demon, August 13
11. U.K. Report: Walk More and Lose Weight, Save the Environment, August 16
12. Are Printed Transit Information Materials a Significant barrier to Transit Use?, August 23
13. People-Oriented Cities are Cycling-Friendly Cities, September 4
14. Want to Fight Global Warming, Take the Bus, October 6
15. Build Places Where People Don't Need to Drive and Save the Planet, October 8
16. Is Sprawl Contributing to America's Health Problems?, November 3
17. Coincidence or Conspiracy?, November 9
18. 11 Most Bicycle Friendly Cities...in the World, November 14
19. Is Philly the Carshare Capital of the Country?, November 29
20. It's Official. More Walking = Better Health, December 19

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Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and The TDM Professional blog and is a biking/Metrorail commuter from Alexandria, Virginia just outside of Washington, D.C.

Are you paying attention?

Traffic jam mystery solved by mathematicians from PhysOrg.com
Mathematicians from the University of Exeter have solved the mystery of traffic jams by developing a model to show how major delays occur on our roads, with no apparent cause. Many traffic jams leave drivers baffled as they finally reach the end of a tail-back to find no visible cause for their delay. [...]

While traffic engineers have known this for a while (did these folks pay any attention to the MUTCD?), I don't think that there has been an equation to this effect that would allow for the calibration of automated devices for individual vehicles.  Why does this matter for TDM?  A couple of reasons...

First, smoother flowing roadways mean less congestion in general, regardless of how many people are in the vehicle or what type of lane they're in.  If there are preferential carpool lanes, these devices could help with controlling lane conflicts from delay associated with a slower moving lane next to the carpool lane.  It would require designated access points, but I believe this is coming to most areas in the near future anyway associated with broader tolling schemes.

Second, in my opinion, the less personal control over the driving experience that the system user (i.e. driver) is allowed to have in order to maximize the use of the system, the more likely they are to consent to a shared travel experience with others in their conveyance.  This, of it's very nature, is an encouragement to HOV travel.  Admittedly, this could be more of a boost to the personal rapid transit crowd, but I can't see that level of separate infrastructure being created any time soon, and I see more emphasis on efficient use of existing infrastructure.

Chris Simmons, TDM Corridor Implementation Planner, WSDOT

simmocw@wsdot.wa.gov