The idea of separating trucks from other vehicles on interstates and highways is gaining national attention. Currently, there are no dedicated U.S. highways for trucks, but some states, like Georgia, have created lanes dedicated for trucks. In addition, many states, including Missouri, are studying the need for truck-only lanes and the possibility of enhanced safety and improved overall traffic flow. However, the concept is a costly one. What do you think about separate traffic lanes dedicated solely for trucks on Interstate 70?
For more information on dedicated I-70 truck lanes visit http://www.improvei70.com/
21 comments:
I think this is a great idea to keep large trucks and other vehicles seperated as they travel down I70.
I travel the state for my job but for the past few years I only drive on I-70 briefly through a KC, Columbia and STL because there are too many trucks and they drive badly. I now take routes 50 and 36 and if 50 were 4 lane that would provide more options. Or better yet,
why not ramp up rail and save the state some money?
I think this is a great idea. Along with lowering the speed limits should result in lower accident rates and fatalities and lower fuel consumption.
Separating traffic would help tremendously on I-70. While the number of truck-related accidents is significantly low, truck-related accidents usually result in more serious injuries. A dedicated truck-lane would cut down the number of truck-related accidents further reducing the number of serious or fatal accidents involving large trucks(adding a lane barrier for the truck lane would be even better).
I like the idea of utilizing a rail service as well. If there are going to be dedicated truck lanes, then chances are MoDOT will be investing millions of dollars widening the road. This is another band-aid to the real problem, which is congestion. And congestion will never go away until the state can start providing other means of transportation.
what about some extra public education regarding semi-trucks? that way more people understand what's involved with a truck and the trucks won't be considered "bad"
I would love to have a dedicated truck lane on all major highways. Semi trucks are way too dangerous!
I also travel I-70 frequently between Kingdom City and St. Louis and have noticed the trucks. I think it is time to consider taking the trucks OFF our highways and onto rail. Two very good rail routes parallel I-70 between KC and StL and to my knowledge are paying their own way. Why should the taxpayer foot the bill for the trucks? I would rather see my tax dollar go to increase rail capacity.....anonymous
Drive right, pass left. Works in many States, No trucks, slow moving vehicles, trailers allowed in left lane. No cost, with exception of signs, reducing the excuse of "He was in my blind spot"
I think a dedicated car lane would be a better idea. Everyone has a tendancy to blame the big trucks, when in reality,they are rarely at fault. cars lanes would be cheaper to build as they don't need to handle as much weight as a truck lane would. you could have rader screen every few miles that could warn driver to either speed up or slow down depending on traffic conditions. and post signs giving drivers information on accidents.
such as: in 2007 there were x number of accidents involving semi's and of those x number the truck driver was at fault x percentage of the time.
I believe making a seperate lane for trucks is a great idea. The sooner the better!
The State of Illinois has a very good system for it's interstate highways.
I drive to Chicago several times a year, and it's a relief to drive in Illinois after driving on I-70 in Missouri. The speed limit for trucks is 55 mph, so they stay in the right-hand lane, and thus traffic moves smoothly and much more calmly than in Missouri. Why not institute the Illinois system in Missouri for a year or so, and see if it works. Perhaps a huge construction project could be avoided.
Keeping trucks in a seperate lane is great. But again we need enforcement on this. Dropping speed limits on semi trucks would also help out but again we need enforcement. I have always been behind adding tolls in Missouri. It just makes so much more sense to do this on major highways across the state to fund our Road projects. People in the state could get a pass and pay a smaller fee to use the tolls. Just like other states around Missouri that use this. The highway's are always improving in Texas, Oklahoma just to name a few. By far adding the lane is great and widening lanes for other traffic would be a plus.
I like the idea of separating trucks from other vehicles on interstates and highways.
Or like in some states restrict the trucks to the slow lane.
Some truckers don't respect the little guy (car). They pull into the fast lane comming to a hill and slow trafic down well below the speed limit. They pull out will little or no warning. So you have to slam on your breakes to keep from hitting them.
So give them there own lane or make them stay in the slow lane. But please do some thing to make it better.
I think deicated truck lanes would help.
It certainly seems that truck only lanes would be a significant benefit, but I suspect still a long way away. Drive right, pass left is an idea that could be incorporated immediately and would benefit all of our multi-lane highways. I drive I-44 daily and frequently experience the aforementioned "bad" trucks 3 abreast passing one another (in a sort of futility race) on almost every hill, impeding traffic flow for the sake of avoiding a downshift. A further benefit from drive right, pass left would be improving traffic flow and reducing road rage that results from an individual river "parking" in the left lane. Thanks to the Dept for a great job in improving our highways over the past couple years!
Just a couple of points
1. Driver right, pass left is currently a law in Missouri (I was pulled over many years ago for it), but signage should be used in greater quantities to remind motorists, as much traffic is due to through traffic of interstate travel.
2. Increased traffic along I70 would increase pollutants, such as particulate matter, which may be linked to increased cases of asthma. Many of the towns that line I70 are rural communities, which often have lower incomes. Could these individuals of these towns suffer a disproportionate environmental burden due to increased traffic from widening the interstate? It could possible be an environmental justice issue.
3. Energy prices in the future are not certain and therefor neither is the certianty that truck transport will be the dominate form of shipping, which relies so heavily on fuel prices.
4. The way the trucks enter back into local traffic in the plans could potentially cause problems through merging of traffic. Is visiblity an issue for truckers with traffic on the right side when merging?
5. My recomendation would be for reduced semi-truck speed limits, or as they do in Germany restrict them to a single lane for sections where road situations are poor. A toll may be beneficial, although difficult to impliment, it would generate revenue, possibly increase other modes of travel for individuals and possibly reduce traffic by diverting through travel to other interstate systems.
Just some ideas.
I agree with the "drive right, pass left" rule. We are all adults, and can share the road. I think the Illinois law that trucks have a lower speed limit than cars is an extremely hazardous law, creating more animosity and chances for accidents than it prevents; the truckers get even by traveling in groups, waiting until you are close, and then take turns leap-frogging, driving only slightly faster than the other trucks so it takes 50 miles to pass. I find myself speeding up to 85 to get past the trucks before they have a chance to pull out in front of me, which is not how I prefer to drive. I know I am not the only one who feels this way. I hate to drive in Illinois. What causes accidents are vehicles going drastically different speeds and not yielding the right of way by using the passing lane only to pass. It's pretty simple, not rocket science.
Dumbest idea i've ever heard of. You will have trucks in the center merging right-into the main freeway lanes for cars- every car would be in their blind spot. Take it from me- someone who was hit by a tractor trailer. Put an extra lane, then designate the right lanes as "trucks only" with 55mph speed limit caps.
It's a great idea. Thousands of lives would be saved if implemented. I'm sure the German's keep statistics on this. A large percentage of traffic fatalities are a result of collisions between trucks and passenger vehicles. In addition, less money would have to be poured down the drain on the upkeep of the left hand lanes which would no longer be torn up by trucks, the main perpetrator of potholes.
Talk about getting more bang for the buck out of infrastructre.
Seeing all the "truck bashing" I thought I would leave a few thoughts. First off about the "truck dedicated lanes" in other states, there are NONE. Truck restricted lanes yes, but not dedicated(only) lanes(refer to I-55 on the southside of St Louis). Second, trucking companies pay the bulk of the taxes used to pay for the roads. The Interstate Highway System was built specifically for Military use, then Commerce(moving of goods), then for the general paublic. Third, if the general public cared enough about what they were doing instead of reading,doing the crosswords,eating,texting,filing paperwork,applying makeup etc.,all while driving a 1 ton+ missile down the highway at 75+mph, a number of accidents across the highways wouldn't happen. Also roadrage doesn't help either. We will all get where we are going sooner or later, hopefully still behind the wheel. Oh and one more thing...IF YOU HAVE IT A TRUCK BROUGHT IT...Thank a truck driver someday(please not the one fingered variety)...thanks
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