The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is conducting a slugging survey to look at the HOV carpooling patterns at the expanded Staffordboro commuter lot just off Route 610 in North Stafford.
Slugs are those who hitch rides in vehicles with three or more occupants to ride free on the EZ-Pass Express Lanes with an EZ-Pass Flex transponder in the vehicles.
According to a VDOT release, they are concerned about congestion that’s been seen at the slugging pick-up line at the Staffordboro lot during weekday mornings.
In addition to an online survey VDOT is asking riders to fill out, there are plans to send VDOT staff out to the slug line to speak with commuters, according to a release.
The survey is being conducted for the next month, according to Kelly Hannon, a Communications Manager with VDOT.
“This is an unscientific, convenience sample, but we wanted to do as much as we could to ask the people using these features for their ideas,” said Hannon.
Potomac Local spoke with area commuters and found that the expanded Staffordboro and the extended EZ-Pass Express Lanes on Interstate 95
from Dumfries to Route 610 has been a relief for many.
“It’s a little easier,” said Beulah Williams, Stafford. “I feel like I get about 20 minutes more at home every day.”
The majority of the construction of the lanes wrapped in December when the lanes opened to traffic. Every driver on the lanes needs an EZ-Pass to use them, and vehicles with two or fewer occupants are charged tolls to use the lanes.
Drivers are charged tolls 24-hours a day, and that means they look to pick up Slugs more often. Under the old rules, drivers had to have three more occupants to use the lanes from 6 to 9 a.m., and from 3:30 to 6 p.m. weekdays.
“The evening commute is 30 minutes shorter, and you can get a ride later in the morning and earlier in the evening, because [drivers] are always looking to pick up Slugs,” said Kelly Traywick.
About the same time, the lanes were under construction the Staffordboro commuter lot was expanded by an additional 1,000 spaces in September 2014. The lot is easier to use now, commuters say, with wider lanes and more legal parking spaces (people no longer must park in unmarked spots or shoulders to find a space).
One commuter who lives off Route 17 in south Stafford travels to the Staffordboro lot using back roads. She said the Express Lanes caused northbound traffic to back up during the morning hours just south of 610 in North Stafford.
“Ever since the hot lanes opened, the traffic on 95, between 17 and 610 has slowed down considerably, almost at a standstill,” said Susie Carlson.
She adds the northbound delays could be caused by drivers merging left to enter the EZ-Pass Express Lanes just north of Route 610.
