Commuting Solutions: "Slugging" to Work
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2011-08-04/commuting-solutions-slugging-work
It's an informal transportation network carrying thousands of local commuters from home to work and back again every day. "Slugging" involves two or more strangers, riding together to take advantage of high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes and shave valuable time off their commute. We examine the history and future of a unique commuting solution created by the people, and for the people.
Guests
David LeBlanc
author, "Slugging:The Commuting Alternative For Washington DC" (Forel Publishing).
Steven Titunik
Director of Communications, Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT’s) Mega Projects.
Chris Hamilton
Bureau Chief, Arlington County Commuter Services
Comments
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Kojo: I hope you will explore whether the proposed HOT lanes would undermine the slugging system. With the ability of single occupant vehicles to use the HOV lanes, will more people switch to driving alone? Will enough do so that there won't be enough HOV drivers or sluggers to fill carpools? Or will the cost per mile of SOV use be such that commuters will still have an incentive to carpool?
But if that's the case, what would be the reaction by the private toll road operator who will be counting on revenues? Will Transurban/Fluor insist on restrictions on the number of HOV users in the corridor? (on the Beltway HOT lanes, VDOT must pay Transurban/Fluor if more than a certain percentage of the vehicles are HOV).
Thanks,
Stewart
Guests never answered the question - what is the difference between slugging and hitchhiking? What makes one legal and the other illegal?
Kojo:
I have been picking up "slugs" at "Bobs" in Springfield for nine years, ever since I moved into the neighborhood. Compared to those few times when I have used the regular lanes, my guess is my normal "slug-enhanced" commute time expands from an average of 40 minutes at an average speed of 31 mph (with half the distance and 1/3 the time) on the 395 HOV). My "large car" gas mileage is 22 mpg. Using the regular lanes pushes that down (estimate - not measured) to about 18 mpg.
As additional comment, I especially resent the hybrids on the HOV. Once above 35 mph (avg speed on HOV ~60-65 mph), those cars are burning gas, just like me. The difference is I am moving four people (I always pick-up more than the minimum riders) while they are moving one. Those vehicles are also designed for under 35 mph; i.e., they belong in the regular lanes!
Slugging is the most egalitarian activity I’ve seen in the DC area. It does not matter your race, gender, age, civilian or military status; if you can fill a seat you are welcome
A “slug” was the term Linotype operators used for a blank piece of lead necessary to fill out a newspaper line
Based on observation – one woman is unlikely to get in a car with more than one man. Two women will travel together with one or more men.