Commercial Vehicles (Class 7 & 8) need to be redirected and assigned to the the "Diamond Lane" and left lane verses being restricted to the right lanes ONLY.

Here's why:

Do to merging traffic, the Truck Driver is required to make several hundred additional braking actions and shifts. A vehicle of that size and weight takes additional time to regain speed and momentum therefore flow control is negatively impacted.

A commercial vehicle is more transient thereby traveling longer distances between points. Most "18Wheelers" and even "Straight Trucks" deliver their freight to warehouses located in outlying areas of cities. The average amount of Drop/Picks for a commercial vehicle within a city is three. Basically it's, get in and get out.

Operators of commercial vehicles rely upon "Trip Planning" procedures to help them in executing pickups and deliveries in the most time efficient manor. Additionally, it is the primary job function of a professional driver to maintain constant awareness of their surroundings as it pertains to the relationship between their vehicle position verses other vehicles and obstacles. A professional driver is more aware of posted signage, construction identifications and markings. Setting higher, athe operator of a commercial vehicle utilizes his/her down range advantage in order to plan braking or lane change maneuvers. Professional Drivers are skills trained in "Merging" techniques. Many non-professional drivers lack training in this area and are thus creating an adverse effect in the ability to maintain flow control.

Washington should take the lead and BETA TEST some ideas. This being one of them.

Please advise if I can be of further assistance.

Doug Masser dougmasser@truckmail.com

-- Doug Masser (dougmasser@truckmail.com), December 25, 1999

Answers

Doug,

I am not sure why no one has responded to your suggestion. Your idea has merit, in my opinion. Do you know if this has been tried anywhere else? What about the problem of trucks traveling at different speeds and passing each other? Would they be restricted to left lane use only, and discouraged from frequently passing each other? I assume you are proposing this for major Freeways, 3 lanes or more, each direction?

-- Marsha (acorn_nut@hotmail.com), December 27, 1999.

Doug, Your answer seemed to be from the trucker's position, Please consider this option. A) All Trucks, Buses, and RV's will drive in the right lane except when there are more that two lanes, then the trucks will then drive in the second lane from the left. As an aid to all truck drivers and to all car drivers, the lane will be marked, " Trucks only " and the lane will be painted (something like a nopassing lane strip) to indicate that only trucks may use this lane. The speed of this lane will be 10 mph slower than the posted speed and the trucks may not bunch up but maintain a 500 foot separation from the truck ahead. Thus allowing cars to move across the truck lane. There will no passing of a truck by another truck in any conjested time (6:00am to 9:00am 3:00pm to 6:00pm)and passing at other times must be expedite and not impede the flow of cars. You might ask, What is a truck ? If it is licensed as a truck, it's a truck. These rules should apply for the I-5 and I-405 roads as a test pattern. Maybe others have thoughts about car drivers that duck in front of trucks and then hit their brakes. I drive an RV and see the problem all too often. I also see too much side by side lane driving by large commercial rigs and their passing become more of a race as opposed to allowing the other truck to pass. I'm always kinder to the trucker that has a sign indicating a 1-800 number to call, because they have their job on the line. Maybe all commercial trucks should have a such a sign provided to them for free, handcrafted by the guests living at our many state prisons.

-- Jim Campbell (shadylake@juno.com), January 04, 2000.

Doug, Sorry I goofed, I said that trucks should drive in the second lane from the LEFT when there are two or more lanes, I really want the trucks to drive in the second lane from the RIGHT. This would allow the merging flow of cars and trucks in the far right lane.

-- Jim Campbell (shadylake@juno.com), January 04, 2000.