The government are toying with the idea of introducing a fast lane on motorways for vehicles with multi occupants. What are everybody's thoughts on this?

In principle I think it sounds like a very good idea. I have doubts over it's enforcibility though... but I was reading a few days ago that in some part of the USA it has been done and worked very well.

Saw a quote in the Metro this morning that said something along the lines of "has been working successfully in the US for 20 years and doing fine in Leeds for six years".

The reason it works in the US is that they built "multi-passenger" lanes. Which is not what they did in Leeds, or I believe are intending to do to more roads. In Leeds they simply converted an existing lane.

There's a BIG difference there and is why I voted "No". I'm all in favour of the multi-occupancy lanes but they need to be built as new lanes, NOT just painting one of the existing lanes red. Doing this will simply be too unpopular and not change the habits of the single-passenger users. It will annoy everyone and improve nothing. Bulding extra lanes solely for multi-occupancy cars is the only way this policy can be implemented successfully.

Look at the failure and unpopularity of the M4 bus-lane where the "fast" lane of the motorway was painted red instead of building an extra lane

I'm all up for it if it means adopting an existing lane during rush hour periods as opposed to expanding the motorway with a new lane.

I think it said on Sky News a couple of days ago that the government is thinking of trialing the system on the motorways which are already having new lanes built.

Bad idea because they must be so difficult to effectively police. If they are introduced I'll have to buy a big dummy to sit in the passenger seat if I'm on my own.

So here is an opening for blow up dolls !!!!! eerrr I didn't mean that kind of opening...lol

Originally posted by t020
Bad idea because they must be so difficult to effectively police. If they are introduced I'll have to buy a big dummy to sit in the passenger seat if I'm on my own.

So Brian Deane is coming back to the lane then..lol

Originally posted by t020
If they are introduced I'll have to buy a big dummy to sit in the passenger seat if I'm on my own.

Can i resist commenting???:D

How will they police them? Cameras would be easiest i suppose.

Do that many cars on the motorway have just one person in them? I suppose i travel on them mostly at weekends and school holidays so they seem to have more people in them.

It should be a new lane, but that would be more of the counrtyside gone. Do they plan to just keep adding and adding until there is no green left?

Originally posted by fuzzy
Do they plan to just keep adding and adding until there is no green left?

I agree it is worrying if they keep on and on adding new lanes to accomodate more cars. If they can somehow persuade people to share cars more often then there will obviously be less need for more roads and more lanes on motorway as it would be cutting down the congestion.

Doubtless however they police it, there will be some criminal elements who will try to cheat... ie buying a dummy to sit in the car etc lol :roll:

Originally posted by hotphil
Saw a quote in the Metro this morning that said something along the lines of "has been working successfully in the US for 20 years and doing fine in Leeds for six years".

The reason it works in the US is that they built "multi-passenger" lanes. Which is not what they did in Leeds, or I believe are intending to do to more roads. In Leeds they simply converted an existing lane.

There's a BIG difference there and is why I voted "No". I'm all in favour of the multi-occupancy lanes but they need to be built as new lanes, NOT just painting one of the existing lanes red. Doing this will simply be too unpopular and not change the habits of the single-passenger users. It will annoy everyone and improve nothing. Bulding extra lanes solely for multi-occupancy cars is the only way this policy can be implemented successfully.

Look at the failure and unpopularity of the M4 bus-lane where the "fast" lane of the motorway was painted red instead of building an extra lane

I am under the impression the Government is planning on piloting this in two areas to see how effective it is, including how easy they are to police. I also thought they were talking about new, additional lanes. The pilot seems like a good idea - if it proves that it helps traffic flow then great, roll it out. If not, then at least they've tried it.

it'd make no difference.

morons would still drive down the middle lane oblivious to anything beyond their nose or behind them.

A typical half-arsed approach from the Government.

Why not invest in the public transport infrastructure and give us a system that makes people WANT to leave their cars at home?

If the lanes are policed vigorously - and I'm sure they will be 'cos there's gold in them thar motorists's pocket - then the other lanes will clog up as people don't dare overtake a badly driven vehicle by going in to the 'fast lane' - assuming they use the existing right hand lanes on the carriage way.

A better and longer term approach would be to look at why it's necessary for so many office workers to commute every day by car in such a short period of time - look at the options for staggered working, teleworking, etc. Improve public transport both inside and between towns and cities.

Joe

Just how fast can a bus/multi person vehicle go compaired to a car/bike

Why does a multi person vehicle want to go faster than a car with, say, one person in?:confused: :confused:

The last thing we need is a lane for nutters.

The government are toying with the idea of introducing a fast lane on motorways for vehicles with multi occupants. What are everybody's thoughts on this?

We all know that Speed Kills, Soooo why do they want to build FAST lanes for vehicles carrying multi-passengers? Just another crazy scheme, as was the idea of using the hard shoulder in busy periods.

The use of the hard shoulder in busy periods idea has been implemented on parts of the M42 - not sure how welll it's doing though.

The use of the hard shoulder in busy periods idea has been implemented on parts of the M42 - not sure how welll it's doing though.

I haven't as yet heard any adverse news about this, but where the heck do people go if they break down, especially on a bridge?

The carriageway has overhead gantries indicating 'open' lanes (similar to those used for the variable speed limited M25 sections) and operators monitor the traffic flow. If a breakdown occurs, the overhead signs change to advise drivers that they can't use the 'hard shoulder' any more.

The carriageway has overhead gantries indicating 'open' lanes (similar to those used for the variable speed limited M25 sections) and operators monitor the traffic flow. If a breakdown occurs, the overhead signs change to advise drivers that they can't use the 'hard shoulder' any more.

That must cause some congestion as vehicles try to merge back into the near - side traffic lane.

not if the signs start a good few miles back advising drivers that they should be thinking about switching lanes.
Does seem a very expensive way of admitting that the road simply ain't big enough.