Discussion:
Reversible Lanes where opposing directions are without barrier separation on fwys
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m***@hotmail.com
2005-02-25 01:03:03 UTC
Permalink
Reversible Lanes that cause opposing directions of traffic to be
without barrier separation on freeways

I am aware of two situations where a reversible lane setup causes
opposing directions of traffic to be without barrier separation on a
freeway, a situation that I consider to be quite dangerous. Both are
in the NY area:

1) Lincoln Tunnel Expy, NJ 495 between the NJ Turnpike and the Toll
booth. The left lane of the westbound NJ 495 reverses direction for
buses during morning rush hour. 2 westbound expressway lanes are not
barrier separated from an eastbound bus lane.

2) Long Island Expy, I-495 between I-278 and the Queens-Midtown Tunnel
Toll Booth. The left lane of the eastbound I-495 reverses direction
for buses, taxis, and carpools during morning rush hour. 2 (sometimes
3) eastbound expressway lanes are not barrier separated from the
westbound HOV lane.

In both situations, there are electronic lane control signals that let
drivers know which lane goes in which direction. During the morning
rush hour when the reversible lane is in effect, the speed limit for
the freeway is much lower than at other times. (IIRC on the LIE, the
speed limit is 40 during morning rush hour, but 55 at other times).

I am not referring to barrier separated median reversible lanes, like
I-395 in Virginia or I-15 in California, where opposing directions are
always separated, regardless of the direction of the reversible lane.

I am also not referring to zipper lanes, (as they have in Hawaii) where
the barrier actually moves and continues to separate opposing
directions of traffic.

Are there any other similar situations that you are aware of (like the
Lincoln Tunnel Expy and the LIE)?

Thanks,

Mayer
Steve
2005-02-25 01:22:43 UTC
Permalink
Post by m***@hotmail.com
Reversible Lanes that cause opposing directions of traffic to be
without barrier separation on freeways
I am aware of two situations where a reversible lane setup causes
opposing directions of traffic to be without barrier separation on a
freeway, a situation that I consider to be quite dangerous. Both are
1) Lincoln Tunnel Expy, NJ 495 between the NJ Turnpike and the Toll
booth. The left lane of the westbound NJ 495 reverses direction for
buses during morning rush hour. 2 westbound expressway lanes are not
barrier separated from an eastbound bus lane.
This was remedied with plastic pylons that pop out of the ground. Or
it's always been that way, I don't know. But yeah, it falls well short
of a barrier.
Post by m***@hotmail.com
2) Long Island Expy, I-495 between I-278 and the Queens-Midtown Tunnel
Toll Booth. The left lane of the eastbound I-495 reverses direction
for buses, taxis, and carpools during morning rush hour. 2 (sometimes
3) eastbound expressway lanes are not barrier separated from the
westbound HOV lane.
In both situations, there are electronic lane control signals that let
drivers know which lane goes in which direction. During the morning
rush hour when the reversible lane is in effect, the speed limit for
the freeway is much lower than at other times. (IIRC on the LIE, the
speed limit is 40 during morning rush hour, but 55 at other times).
The SL on NJ 495 when the bus lane operates I think can never go above 35.
Post by m***@hotmail.com
I am not referring to barrier separated median reversible lanes, like
I-395 in Virginia or I-15 in California, where opposing directions are
always separated, regardless of the direction of the reversible lane.
I am also not referring to zipper lanes, (as they have in Hawaii) where
the barrier actually moves and continues to separate opposing
directions of traffic.
Are there any other similar situations that you are aware of (like the
Lincoln Tunnel Expy and the LIE)?
Thanks,
Mayer
--
Steve
Civil Engineering (Course 1) at MIT
Mike Tantillo
2005-02-25 03:08:12 UTC
Permalink
Post by m***@hotmail.com
Reversible Lanes that cause opposing directions of traffic to be
without barrier separation on freeways
I am aware of two situations where a reversible lane setup causes
opposing directions of traffic to be without barrier separation on a
freeway, a situation that I consider to be quite dangerous. Both are
1) Lincoln Tunnel Expy, NJ 495 between the NJ Turnpike and the Toll
booth. The left lane of the westbound NJ 495 reverses direction for
buses during morning rush hour. 2 westbound expressway lanes are not
barrier separated from an eastbound bus lane.
Since authorized busses only are allowed, I assume the bus drivers know
how to avoid entering oncoming traffic. They do have yellow pylons
though, but they do not pop out of the ground, I believe they are
manually placed and pulled each morning during the hour "overlap"
between when the WB lane closes and the bus lane opens.
Post by m***@hotmail.com
2) Long Island Expy, I-495 between I-278 and the Queens-Midtown Tunnel
Toll Booth. The left lane of the eastbound I-495 reverses direction
for buses, taxis, and carpools during morning rush hour. 2
(sometimes
Post by m***@hotmail.com
3) eastbound expressway lanes are not barrier separated from the
westbound HOV lane.
Where have you been lately? Clearly not on the LIE....or else you
might have noticed that they are barrier seperated now! A zipper wall
normally sits on the EB LIE right up against the median barrier.
During morning rush, this barrier is moved over 1 lane to the south,
and the HOV/bus/medalion taxi lane is in between the two walls. The
eastern limit of the wall is right next to the crossover, so westbound
traffic crossing over does so just after the wall begins. The west end
is at the toll plaza.

Having a barrier was a condition for opening up the lane to carpools.
previously, when only cones were used, only busses were allowed.
Post by m***@hotmail.com
In both situations, there are electronic lane control signals that let
drivers know which lane goes in which direction. During the morning
rush hour when the reversible lane is in effect, the speed limit for
the freeway is much lower than at other times. (IIRC on the LIE, the
speed limit is 40 during morning rush hour, but 55 at other times).
I am not referring to barrier separated median reversible lanes, like
I-395 in Virginia or I-15 in California, where opposing directions are
always separated, regardless of the direction of the reversible lane.
On I-95/I-395, they are barrier seperated, except it is very easily
possible to drive around the gates....which is very, very dangerous.
there is about the width of 1 car between the end of the gate arm and
the edge of the pavement.

On I-15, the gates are made from Aircraft carrier cable (read that when
researching an HOV lane project) and lock shut on both ends, which will
PHYSICALLY PREVENT any car from getting through. Much safer IMO.
Post by m***@hotmail.com
I am also not referring to zipper lanes, (as they have in Hawaii) where
the barrier actually moves and continues to separate opposing
directions of traffic.
They have that on the BQE, and thats what the LIE bus lane now is too.
Post by m***@hotmail.com
Are there any other similar situations that you are aware of (like the
Lincoln Tunnel Expy and the LIE)?
Do bridges and tunnels count?

You could count the reversible lanes on the Golden Gate and Ben
Franklin Bridges. Similarly, you could count the Queens Midtown Tunnel
(reverse an outbound lane to inbound in the morning, creating 2-way
traffic in the midtown tunnel)
Post by m***@hotmail.com
Thanks,
Mayer
Nick C
2005-02-25 03:20:57 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mike Tantillo
Post by m***@hotmail.com
Reversible Lanes that cause opposing directions of traffic to be
without barrier separation on freeways
I am aware of two situations where a reversible lane setup causes
opposing directions of traffic to be without barrier separation on a
freeway, a situation that I consider to be quite dangerous. Both are
1) Lincoln Tunnel Expy, NJ 495 between the NJ Turnpike and the Toll
booth. The left lane of the westbound NJ 495 reverses direction for
buses during morning rush hour. 2 westbound expressway lanes are not
barrier separated from an eastbound bus lane.
Since authorized busses only are allowed, I assume the bus drivers know
how to avoid entering oncoming traffic. They do have yellow pylons
though, but they do not pop out of the ground, I believe they are
manually placed and pulled each morning during the hour "overlap"
between when the WB lane closes and the bus lane opens.
Post by m***@hotmail.com
2) Long Island Expy, I-495 between I-278 and the Queens-Midtown
Tunnel
Post by m***@hotmail.com
Toll Booth. The left lane of the eastbound I-495 reverses direction
for buses, taxis, and carpools during morning rush hour. 2
(sometimes
Post by m***@hotmail.com
3) eastbound expressway lanes are not barrier separated from the
westbound HOV lane.
Where have you been lately? Clearly not on the LIE....or else you
might have noticed that they are barrier seperated now! A zipper wall
normally sits on the EB LIE right up against the median barrier.
During morning rush, this barrier is moved over 1 lane to the south,
and the HOV/bus/medalion taxi lane is in between the two walls. The
eastern limit of the wall is right next to the crossover, so westbound
traffic crossing over does so just after the wall begins. The west end
is at the toll plaza.
Having a barrier was a condition for opening up the lane to carpools.
previously, when only cones were used, only busses were allowed.
Post by m***@hotmail.com
In both situations, there are electronic lane control signals that
let
Post by m***@hotmail.com
drivers know which lane goes in which direction. During the morning
rush hour when the reversible lane is in effect, the speed limit for
the freeway is much lower than at other times. (IIRC on the LIE, the
speed limit is 40 during morning rush hour, but 55 at other times).
I am not referring to barrier separated median reversible lanes, like
I-395 in Virginia or I-15 in California, where opposing directions
are
Post by m***@hotmail.com
always separated, regardless of the direction of the reversible lane.
On I-95/I-395, they are barrier seperated, except it is very easily
possible to drive around the gates....which is very, very dangerous.
there is about the width of 1 car between the end of the gate arm and
the edge of the pavement.
On I-15, the gates are made from Aircraft carrier cable (read that when
researching an HOV lane project) and lock shut on both ends, which will
PHYSICALLY PREVENT any car from getting through. Much safer IMO.
Post by m***@hotmail.com
I am also not referring to zipper lanes, (as they have in Hawaii)
where
Post by m***@hotmail.com
the barrier actually moves and continues to separate opposing
directions of traffic.
They have that on the BQE, and thats what the LIE bus lane now is too.
Post by m***@hotmail.com
Are there any other similar situations that you are aware of (like
the
Post by m***@hotmail.com
Lincoln Tunnel Expy and the LIE)?
Do bridges and tunnels count?
You could count the reversible lanes on the Golden Gate and Ben
Franklin Bridges. Similarly, you could count the Queens Midtown Tunnel
(reverse an outbound lane to inbound in the morning, creating 2-way
traffic in the midtown tunnel)
Don't forget the US 50 Bay Bridge in Maryland.

Also, there are open reversible lanes on the Liberty Bridge at the end of
I-579 in Pittsburgh (although that section is not signed an Interstate)
Emi M Briet
2005-02-25 05:25:43 UTC
Permalink
Post by Nick C
Don't forget the US 50 Bay Bridge in Maryland.
Also, there are open reversible lanes on the Liberty Bridge at the end of
I-579 in Pittsburgh (although that section is not signed an Interstate)
Don't forget the Golden Gate (US-101/CA-1).... ;)

US-101 is a freeway stub on one end and a full freeway on the
other...and last I knew (2001) the reversible lanes are separated by
stanchions (like on the US-6 Super-2 on Cape Cod), not a true barrier.
George Grapman
2005-02-25 05:42:14 UTC
Permalink
Golden Gate Bridge as well as the Doyle Drive approach from Lombard St.


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Scott M. Kozel
2005-02-25 03:43:07 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mike Tantillo
Post by m***@hotmail.com
I am not referring to barrier separated median reversible lanes, like
I-395 in Virginia or I-15 in California, where opposing directions are
always separated, regardless of the direction of the reversible lane.
On I-95/I-395, they are barrier seperated, except it is very easily
possible to drive around the gates....
There are a series of at least 6 gates over about 1,000 feet of roadway
at each reversible entry point... it would take a very messed up
individual to drive around all those gates.
--
Scott M. Kozel Highway and Transportation History Websites
Virginia/Maryland/Washington, D.C. http://www.roadstothefuture.com
Philadelphia and Delaware Valley http://www.pennways.com
Dick Boyd
2005-02-25 04:27:28 UTC
Permalink
Doesn't the reversible lane without barrier take the road out of
freeway category?
Robert F Merrill
2005-02-25 04:40:14 UTC
Permalink
Post by m***@hotmail.com
2) Long Island Expy, I-495 between I-278 and the Queens-Midtown Tunnel
Toll Booth. The left lane of the eastbound I-495 reverses direction
for buses, taxis, and carpools during morning rush hour. 2 (sometimes
3) eastbound expressway lanes are not barrier separated from the
westbound HOV lane.
Only in the tunnel now (which is much scarier), the reversible lane on the
LIE is zipper and has been for a while.
Post by m***@hotmail.com
In both situations, there are electronic lane control signals that let
drivers know which lane goes in which direction. During the morning
rush hour when the reversible lane is in effect, the speed limit for
the freeway is much lower than at other times. (IIRC on the LIE, the
speed limit is 40 during morning rush hour, but 55 at other times).
In the tunnel, it's 45 for same-direction, 25 for opposite.
Post by m***@hotmail.com
I am also not referring to zipper lanes, (as they have in Hawaii) where
the barrier actually moves and continues to separate opposing
directions of traffic.
As I noted, the LIE is like this now.
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