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Kristopher Bill

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Idea: Stacking carpool lanes

I have heard of stacking freeways as an idea to help relieve traffic. What if we stack only the carpool lane? This would alleviate darkening out the entire lower section of the freeway, but only the carpool lane. Also, maybe there could be a way to pre-manufacture sections of the decked freeway offsite so that it would decrease the length of freeway closures.

Topics: Traffic
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  • Russell Hulse

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    Nov 18 2012: Stacking freeways may alleviate traffic for a period of time until more businesses and homes are built around the new structure and there is twice as many people to drive on the road. I think that if the issue with the exits needing to be elevated and timed with the lower level could be solved it would be am interesting experiment. There has to be a way to solve the problem of the lower level being dark. The median of the upper level could have pockets of a thick clear material allowing light to shine on the bottom level. But if the top level was dark would that really be such a problem. We drive at night and if someone didn't want the dark, such as an elderly person or new driver, they could drive on top. No one likes traffic, and if this may solve the problem, even just for some time I believe it is worth the try. Or at least further exploration of the idea.
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    Kitty Hawk

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    Nov 15 2012: I thought the main argument against elevated roadways was the cost associated with them.
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    Linda Taylor 50+

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    Nov 14 2012: Why don't we replace carpool lanes with mass transit? People movers or something.
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    Gail . 50+

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    Nov 14 2012: Studies show that where you build a road, more businesses come to the area. What you suggest will only increase traffic again.

    Better that we should be encouraging office workers to have home offices, thus negating the need for so many cars on the road. Better that we encourage people and businesses to move away from the coasts.
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      edward long 100+

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      Nov 14 2012: Regarding moving people away from the coast. They say that's why Interstate 5 in California was routed so far inland. It did not work. Oops, forgot the topic. Stack carpool lanes? Won't work because each exit and entrance would need a Level Assigning Protocol. Way too complex.

      • Steve C

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        Nov 19 2012: almost, but...
        (not sure exactly what you mean by "Level Assigning Protocol", but) as I imagine it, this could be bypassed simply by making the upper deck the lane for longer drives, then making an exit lane for when you get nearer your destination a few miles farther back.
        The whole idea does seem costly.
        How about a system where a computer monitors the cars entering and exiting ramps, and gives real-time traffic-light changes {slower or faster} to each car, to help the cars [what am I saying] to help the people merge better.
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          edward long 100+

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          Nov 19 2012: Very co$tly!
          Railroads have been using embedded chips to passively monitor traffic flow for years. To use them actively to control traffic flow seems possible, but still $$$$.
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