Can "hitchhiking" help commuters? Consultant seeks to ease congestion

[icymist]

Thursday, November 18, 2004 - Page updated at 12:00 A.M.

Can "hitchhiking" help commuters? Consultant seeks to ease congestion

By Eric Pryne
Seattle Times staff reporter

Steve Raney has a new idea for getting suburban commuters out of their cars that isn't really new at all: hitchhiking.

The Palo Alto, Calif., transportation consultant has come up with a scheme that he says would let people who live near major thoroughfares catch rides to work without the uncertainty of traditional hitchhiking or the rigidity of organized car pools.

They'd do it with technology instead of their thumbs, using transponders, the Internet and cellphones to connect with co-workers driving through the neighborhood on their way to work.

Raney calls his brainstorm "digital hitchhiking" or "casual car-pooling." He wants to test it with one employer — Microsoft — on one corridor: 148th Avenue in Bellevue, a four-lane arterial many Microsoft workers use to reach the company's Redmond campus from Interstate 90.

Raney has pitched the idea to Microsoft, King County Metro, and Redmond and Bellevue city officials, so far without success. All have told him they have higher transportation priorities.

(More)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002094189_hitchhike18m.html

[demnan]

1. Microsoft behind the times? Who knew?

We've been doing that in Northern Virginia for about fifteen years. You wait at the designated place and someone picks you up to ride on the HOV lanes.

[Rjnerd]

2. An informal version of this has evolved in DC

One of the major highways into DC is HOV-2 during commuter hours. Not just a car pool lane, but the whole road. (with an exception for those heading out to Dulles). Anyhow, there are now customary spots near the ramps where people wait for single occupant vehicles, needing a passenger. Since the alternate routes get very clogged, sharing a car with a stranger can save the better part of an hour.

In some respects the modern return to 50 hour weeks for the salaried has put a real dent in arranging traditional car pools. If you can't be sure that you will be able to leave at a consistent time every day, you are pretty much shut out of a shared ride.

-dp-

[damntexdem]

3. It's nothing new.

There have long been stops in the Oakland/Berkeley area where 'hitchhiking' commuters are picked up to traverse the Bay Bridge to San Francisco -- so the driver can use the high-occupancy lane, avoiding backups at the toll plaza.

[nashville_brook]

4. gas, grass or ass -- :) -- n/t

[Hand]

5. What a dumbass idea...

The Cubans have been doing this for decades without all the hooha technological flash and trash. It's pretty simple--when you need a ride, you go to the nearest major intersection and tell the guy in the khaki leisure suit where you're going.

He then flags down the next vehicle and if they're going where you want to go and it's your turn, in you go and away you go. Of course, in Cuba this often means that you get to your destination in the back of a smoke-belching diesel truck, but it's simple and efficient.

Guess who's better prepared for the coming world oil crunch?

VIVA CUBA!

:toast:

[Sin]

6. Don't Panic

Every one know were there Towel is?

[chiburb]

7. Hey Sin... can you explain that one please?

I'm sorry if I'm obtuse or if it's an inside joke, but I don't understand your post at all.

Help this old man, please?

[Sin]

8. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

IF you didn't read it its a great collection of books i think i got them on file some wheres still theres 5 total but if you haven't read them and your in the mood for some good humor and a great Sifi story line pick them up + the movie is coming out soon i think 2005 sometime:)
For the first book at least. But I must warn you the white mice are watching.

[chiburb]

9. Thank you. I appreciate it! n/t

[lynx rufus]

10. That series is great

Great books, great on film.

[Az_lefty]

13. Try the "Ultimate Hitchhikers Guide..." has all 5 books n/t

[Javaman]

11. How about this?? Take fucking pubic transportation or ride a bike!!!

Damn are people that thick?

[happyslug]

12. No Governmental Body will ever support this.

The first time some one is kidnapped (or his car is stolen, take your pick) the victim will sue the Governmental Body that supported this idea. Remember while the state (and most Counties) are viewed as Immune from liability, their agents are not. The agents are the officials who authorize this program or who will run this program. No one will want to take on the job unless the State or Local Government offers to take over the responsibility for such incidents. The Local Government will not want to buy the necessary insurance (if available) nor assume the risk to pay whenever the first person is kidnapped OR the first car is stolen.

Now the Government may leave people do it on their own (no authorization no liability) but no Governmental body will want to pay the hundreds or Thousands of Dollars whenever you have anyone kidnapped, murdered, raped etc when using this system.