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Everything Illustrated In this map of Washington D.C vicinity, you can notice the following: I-70 is a major (divisible by 5) East-west highway (runs from Baltimore, MD to Cove Ft, UT total 2175 miles) I-66 is a not so major (not divisible by 5) East-west highway (runs from Washington DC to Middletown, VA, total 77 miles ) I-95 is a major (divisible by 5) North-south highway (runs from Houlton, ME at the Canadian border to Miami, FL, total 1907 miles) I-495 is the famous Beltway. That is, I-95 instead of passing through Washington D.C, forms a Beltway. Note the three digit numbering and even digit ‘4’ I-270 is a three-digit-loop baby interstate. Note the prefix digit ‘2’ even – because it has Interstate highways on both its ends (I-70 and I-495) I-395 is a three digit-spur baby interstate. Note the prefix digit ‘3’ odd – because it is a spur into Washington D.C downtown and doesn’t have an Interstate in that end.
System for numbering interstate interchanges, also known as exits States do this numbering and can choose between two methods: 1. The consecutive numbering system starts at the most western or southern point on each Interstate route, and interchanges are numbered consecutively (so the first one is Exit #1). 2. The milepost system numbers the interchange according to the miles counted, starting at the most western or southern point. An interchange occurring between mileposts 47 and 48 would be designated Exit #47. You never want to be stuck on a toll road without a pocket full of change. It can be a bit nerve-racking to dig through the car seats, trying to find something to give to the toll booth attendant while drivers behind you honk and yell for you to move on. These are the kinds of situations that cause delays at toll plazas. Millions of drivers pass through toll booths every day. Traditionally, the process is to put some change in a basket, which tabulates the coins and opens a gate to allow the driver through. Today, many local and state traffic agencies have installed or are installing electronic readers that allow drivers to pass through toll stations without coming to a complete stop. Thus, most toll roads are equipped with an electronic toll-collection system, like E-Z Pass that detects and processes tolls electronically. E-Z Pass is used by several U.S. states (in east coast), but most other electronic toll systems (like I-Pass of our Illinois State) are very similar to E-Z Pass. Basically, E-Z Pass uses a vehicle-mounted transponder that is activated by an antenna on a toll lane. Your account information is stored in the transponder. The antenna identifies your transponder and reads your account information. The amount of the toll is deducted and you're allowed through. Electronic toll collection is designed to make traffic flow faster, as cars don't have to stop to make a transaction. Here's how the system works 1. As a car approaches a toll plaza, the radio-frequency (RF) field emitted from the antenna activates the transponder.
6. A green light indicates that the driver can proceed. Some lanes have text messages that inform drivers of the toll just paid and their account balance. The entire process takes a matter of seconds to complete. The electronic system records each toll transaction, including the time, date, plaza and toll charge of each vehicle. Typically, consumers maintain prepaid accounts. The lanes are monitored using video cameras. If you try to go through the plaza without a transponder, the camera records you and takes a snapshot of your license plate. The vehicle owner then receives a violation notice in the mail. High occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, commonly called carpool lanes, are lanes reserved for people who share the ride in carpools, vanpools and/or buses or drive a motorcycle. These lanes are marked with a diamond symbol and HOV signs. HOV lanes reduce traffic congestion, protect the environment and save tax money. They help highways move more people efficiently. HOV lanes offer relatively fast, reliable travel, particularly when traffic is congested. This is an incentive to commuters who are able to share the ride, which frees up space on unrestricted lanes for those who can't or don't carpool, vanpool, or take the bus. High occupancy vehicle lanes carry more people than unrestricted lanes. Traffic congestion increases air pollution. The federal government recommends adding HOV lanes to help reduce pollutants from cars and trucks. The major contributor to ozone and carbon monoxide gases in urban areas is the automobile. HOV lanes help because they encourage people to switch from single occupant vehicles to riding in buses, carpools and vanpools. By reducing congestion and air pollution. Those of you residing in the metro areas of big cities like Atlanta, Houston, SFO, LA, Washington D.C etc., must be knowing about or using HOV lanes. Generally HOV lanes are inner most lane(s) as these are the least affected by traffic entering or exiting the highway. Successful HOV lanes are those that best allow reliable and uninterrupted travel times. This is typically the situation in the left lane where HOVs are less affected by vehicles weaving between lanes. Each state dictates/decides the HOV restrictions and rules. For example, Virginia has a special exemption for less polluting vehicles, even if it's occupied by one person. Talking of air-pollution and HOV, Hybrid gas-electric autos such as the Toyota Prius, the Honda Insight and the Honda Civic Hybrid are exempt from Virginia's HOV highway restrictions, provided the owner spends $10 for "clean fuel" license plates. (The neighboring state Maryland does not provide this HOV exemption). This is one way that folks can drive alone in the HOV lanes during rush hours and not receive a citation. The Prius (five seats), Civic Hybrid (five seats) and Insight (two seats) work on a combination of gasoline and electric power from self-recharging batteries getting as high as 60 miles to a gallon!!!
Links of Interest:
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