Van Pool/Park-n-Ride/Diamond Lanes (Orlando: taxes, costs, centers)

[kyle19125]

It just occurred to me while posting on another thread that it doesn't seem as if this area ever seriously delved into the Van Pool/Park-n-Ride/Diamond Lane system which helps alleviate traffic congestion and can help get more cars off the road. Our four main counties don't seem interested in collaborative efforts so much so I'm guessing it probably hasn't be broached at a higher level. Many metro areas in the US have Park-n-Ride lots where people can park at a low cost (usually just off a major interstate), then board an express bus which has it's own lane (usually a white diamond lane or divided by barricade) shared with Van Pool and HOV vehicles (high occupancy vehicles/ 2 or more occupants). As I think about the lack of density here and sprawl it seems it would have more impact potentially than SunRail. Just a thought..

[annerk]

Seems like I've been preaching that for a year or more on another thread.

It costs a lot less than rail to establish, and the commuter lots can easily relocate or expand as population centers move.

It's a tried and true and highly cost effective model in most of the major population centers in the Northeast US.

[kyle19125]

^^^ I agree regarding start-up costs. Some cities have even resorted to BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) which could be a component as well if the dedicated traffic lanes were implemented.

Bus rapid transit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
RTA Healthline - Euclid Corridor Transportation Project

[Downtown Steve]

Is this what you are talking about? www.rethinkyourcommute.com

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Downtown Steve

Is this what you are talking about? www.rethinkyourcommute.com

Kind of...except that when one dedicates to doing so you're still stuck in traffic with everyone else driving to work alone, which isn't much of an incentive unless one is purely "green-conscious". If Van Pools, HOV vehicles and Buses had designated lanes (which would obviously equate to a quicker commute) it would provide much more incentive for commuters to latch on to it.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Kind of...except that when one dedicates to doing so you're still stuck in traffic with everyone else driving to work alone, which isn't much of an incentive unless one is purely "green-conscious". If Van Pools, HOV vehicles and Buses had designated lanes (which would obviously equate to a quicker commute) it would provide much more incentive for commuters to latch on to it.

To an extent. If you can get 25% of commuters to commute in a van pool with five other people, that's a lot of cars off the road which by it's very nature makes the roads less congested.

[annerk]

Another way to "encourage" people to van pool/car pool/take mass transit would be for the City of Orlando to impose a "parking tax" on all monthly permits. Start whacking people an extra $50 or $100 a month in parking taxes (van pool vehicles are exempt) and suddenly that commuter bus or van pool becomes a lot more attractive.