Developer's Plan Could Put Over 9000 Trucks a Day On Cobb Parkway.

A newly released study by ALK Technologies of Princeton, New Jersey shows that if the proposed mandatory toll on I-75 reaches 50 cents per mile (well below what developers apparently have in mind), more than 9,000 trucks a day may leave the Interstate.

The study, commissioned by GMTA as part of the association's official comments was done by the respected developers of PC Miler. Using proprietary origin and destination data, ALK was able to model the expected diversion of truck traffic should mandatory tolls be imposed on I-75. This is something the developers should have done.

At 25 cents per mile more than 1,500 trucks will move over to US 41 (Cobb Parkway), if the toll rate doubles, however, an incredible 90% of all trucks traveling that route may find it more economical to leave the interstate!

Part of the reason for this is that Cobb Parkway (US Hwy. 41) closely parallels I-75, so there is almost no increase in mileage should a truck divert to the US route. The full report

National Expert Says Developer's Plan Won't Improve Safety

"Overall, the study provides no data showing a net safety benefit from the proposed Truck Only Lanes, let alone from mandating their use."

That is the straightforward conclusion reached by Annette Sandberg, a nationally recognized expert on truck safety issues.  Ms. Sandberg, an attorney, former state patrol officer and former Administrator of FMCSA, did a thorough review of GTP's data and safety claims regarding Truck Only Toll lanes.  Among other failings she found:

Data that mixed in SUVs and Pickups with Large Trucks

A lack of interest in what causes accidents

Assertions not related at all to any of the data that was supposed to support them

Internal inconsistencies in the report regarding the data it cited from one part to another

Admissions that the developers often did not have enough data to draw a conclusion, but then drew one anyway (or created their own data).

The full text of Ms. Sandberg's report can be read here.

$4,000,000,000 Dollars, FOR WHAT?