You are the people who live the commute every morning and afternoon.
You see firsthand the problems out there.
Let?s call this “Mailbag Monday” and take a look at several of your thoughts and ideas.
We hear first from Tim who says enforcement would help: “I commute everyday from Catonsville to Bel Air using Interstates 695 and 95.
“Right now, there are quite a few construction zones where the dotted white lines change to solid ? in some places for almost a mile.
“It is my understanding that a solid white line means do not change lanes, yet nobody seems to care.
“What?s the word on this?”
The word is: Anarchy.
Those solid lines are placed there with purpose and have been designed to help the flow of traffic and reduce conflict.
Rarely, if ever, do you see police enforcing the laws related to solid white lines.
Until they do drivers will continue to ignore them, thinking they know better.
Keep speed up to avoid snarl
We also heard from Gerald who wrote: “Please permit me to share with you an idea that I have had for several years.
“Last week, after a 45-minute backup from Hammonds Ferry Road to Liberty Road … , there was no apparent cause.
“My idea and proposal has been used in the Harbor Tunnel for years … blinking lights … ?KEEP SPEED UP.?
“Why can?t those signs be installed on overpasses and be turned on when necessary?
“The state troopers should have the same lights in their cars, on cones, to be used with oncoming traffic, rubbernecking? when a broken down car is on the apron, etc.”
That seems like it would help. Thanks, Gerald.
Another MARC car addressed overcrowding
Lastly, we hear from Charlie who wrote: “I have to disagree with what you wrote in your column in [last week?s] Examiner based on a report from Bill.
“Train 534 used to leave at 5:25 p.m. with eight cars and was always overcrowded.
“MARC changed the departure time to 5:20 p.m. and added a ninth car.
“This train now has a few empty seats some evenings.
“The reason for this is those folks who leave work at 5 p.m. and have to travel at least 20 minutes to get to Union Station cannot now make it in time to catch the 5:20 p.m. train.
“You would be surprised to know that an extra minute can make a huge difference whether you catch the 5:20 p.m. train or not.
“The simple solution to the overcrowding on the 5:25 p.m. train was to add the additional ninth car, just as MARC has done.
“There was no need to change the departure time.”
It does seem that if MARC was adding a car, it wouldn?t need to have it leave earlier as well.
However, I suspect this was necessary to allow a few extra minutes at stops up the line to allow the extra people to get off the trains.
As we have learned, there is a real domino effect when any changes are made.
Questions, comments, random musings? Write to [email protected].
