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Transportation Watch

HOT Lane in Your Future

High Occupancy Toll lanes will benefit everyone, providing another congestion management tool and taking cars off the general purpose lanes. There really are no losers, only winners. See feature article below.  

Review Past UPD Editions

Some UPD readers have asked how they can read past editions. It’s easy. Just go to www.utahpolicy.com, click Newsletter Archive in the blue navigation bar below the UtahPolicy.com masthead and you can read any of the 499 editions (counting today’s) that have been published so far.

Get Your Item On the Calendar

UPD’s political calendar is Utah’s best source of information about upcoming political and government events. If you’re aware of an event of interest to Utah’s political community, this is the place to post it. We encourage elected and appointed officials to send us information about public appearances, speeches, etc.  We welcome info about campaign events, press conferences, and so forth. Send schedules and calendar items to daily@utahpolicy.com.

 

News Highlights

Manhattan Institute study shows Utah's graduation rate is 14th highest in the nation at 77 percent, but the rate for Latinas is second lowest, at 52 percent (Salt Lake Tribune).

Some see HOT lanes plan as elitist, but others are eager to pay toll (Deseret Morning News).

Sens. Michael Waddoups and Gene Davis want end run around Health Care Task Force (Morning News and Tribune). 

Editorials: Tribune says throw out Kanab leaders by election, not by recall; Morning News backs LDS Church support of constitutional amendment on marriage; Standard-Examiner says Hispanic boycotts and walk-outs are bad ideas.

 
 

Quote of the Day

"You could have pointed out that in July of 1847 when Brigham Young entered the Salt Lake Valley he was actually illegally entering the country of Mexico without proper documentation and brought with him thousands of illegal immigrants."

-- Reader responding to a Lee Benson column on immigration (Morning News).

  

 

Wednesday Buzz
Written by LaVarr Webb & Associates

  

Media Watch

Here Comes Microsoft: Chasing Advertising Dollars

Who would have thought just a few years ago that newspapers, TV, radio and magazines would have to worry about Microsoft as a major competitor for advertising? Unfortunately for traditional media, Microsoft is aiming its 70,000 employees and immense resources right at consumer advertising, the main revenue source of today’s mainstream media.

With Google, Yahoo, thousands more Internet companies, and now Microsoft all focused on advertising, competition has never been greater, and information distribution systems that require expensive printing, mailing or physical delivery are going to be hard-pressed to stay profitable.

In a lengthy Fortune magazine article (May 1 edition), senior editor David Kirkpatrick documents Microsoft’s effort to totally remake itself into a media company that sells web-based, advertising-supported services instead of software in a box.

The intent is to “webify” every aspect of the company and solicit advertising to support it all. CEO Steve Ballmer is meeting with major advertisers like Nestle and Toyota. Ray Ozzie is leading Microsoft’s makeover. The idea is to put all of Microsoft’s products on-line, so users never have to upgrade or load new software. Everything is accessed over the Internet with Microsoft hosting “all your information – movies, music, tax information, a high-definition videoconference you had with your grandmother, whatever” on massive server farms. All your files will be accessible from anywhere, on any device, and it will all be supported by advertising and possibly other fees.

Here’s Microsoft’s math on advertising, according to the Fortune article: “... the companywide excitement about the potential of online advertising is palpable. MSN’s Blake Irving calculates that annual worldwide advertising spending amounts to about half-a-trillion dollars, vs. total software industry revenue of about $120 billion. ‘Only 3.6% of that half-a-trillion today is being spent online,’ he says with relish, ‘even though 20% of all media viewership – including instant messaging, et cetera – is online now. So just assume that 3.6% grows to match the media opportunity. We want to be part of as much of that 20 points as we can.’”

Big changes are coming in the media world.  

Earn A Living as a Blogger?

Read a fascinating blog post from Michael J. Totten, a foreign affairs writer who travels to the far corners of the world, who is experimenting to see if he can make a living as a writer with readers voluntarily giving him money (using PayPal), instead of obtaining writing assignments from traditional media outlets. So far it’s working. Thanks to Ric Cantrell for sending the link. 

Blog Watch

Paul Rolly is back with some scuttlebutt from the Hill... Reach Upward discusses the LDS Church's move to support a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the “exclusive union of one man and one woman” (see also here and here)... Obiter Dicta by Steve says Washington Co. political candidates shouldn't waste time focusing on the immigration issue, which "they have very little power to affect. It is the state and federal elected officials who have that power when it comes to illegal immigration"... The Utah Amicus reveals the man behind the curtain at The World, According to Me... Utah Conservative reaches a milestone... The Trib's Vince Horiuchi says: "Now here's something I would like to see: Gov. Jon Huntsman hobnobbing with the red and famous. In this case, sucking up to 'Sesame Street's' Elmo for a series of PSAs about raising healthy kids."

-- Compiled by Golden Webb

Washington Watch

Cannon: Preserve Net Neutrality

Rep. Chris Cannon says the "House Judiciary must be at the center of the [Net neutrality] debate to preserve competition ... The continued success of the Internet depends on unfettered interconnection" (CNET News).

Nature Conservancy Buys Utah Ranch

The Nature Conservancy purchases a 298-acre conservation easement "which will protect the scenic Boulder Creek Canyon Ranch in the heart of Boulder, Utah" (see press release).

National Politics

Merit Pay Working in Some Schools

Despite union objections, merit pay for teachers is being tried in Arkansas (Manhattan Institute).

  

Utah Policy Daily is a service
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Editor: Paul Hollingshead
News: Golden Webb
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Wednesday
April 26, 2006

Utah in the National News

Article applauds lawmakers in Ohio and Utah for giving "more students access to school choice" (Heartland Institute).

Oklahoma lawmakers overwhelmingly approve a “games as porn” bill similar to Utah Rep. David Hogue's HB257, which was struck down in March (Gamasutra, GameDaily BIZ and Next Generation).

Western Shoshone Indian tribe and two Salt Lake citizens groups file suit against the U.S. Defense Department to stop the June 2 detonation of a 700-ton ammonium nitrate and fuel oil bomb 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas (Time).

Nationwide survey on Utah's image shows that tourists don't have a negative perception of the state -- they just don't have much of a perception at all (Associated Press).

Local Headlines

Deseret Morning News

- Immigrants, Minutemen plan to flex muscles

- Rx sought for health care woes in Utah

- Lee Benson: Immigration column has prompted e-mail flood

- Utah County Demos rally

- Upcoming HOT lanes generate some heat

- Backers of bond, leeway hit the streets

- Provoans to vote on 2 measures June 27

- Summit mayors may block registration fee

- 'Puffer' portals to make air travel safer

- Hatch joins group opposing test blast

- Ex-Utahn to take reins at S.L. airport

- County may condemn 2 houses

- Fire destroys Utah politician's turkeys

- 1-800-CONTACTS likes Bennett bill

- Technical degrees lacking, panel says

- Op-ed: Don't skimp on tourism funds

- Editorial: Speaking out for marriage

Standard-Examiner

- UTA contractors win multiple awards for safety

- Income varies across state

- Editorial: Work, study and march

St. George Spectrum

- Supporting Mesa Airlines just makes sense

- Op-ed: First Amendment right misunderstood

Logan Herald Journal

- ATK Thiokol gets $28 million work order from NASA

Daily Herald

- Police: Attack possible hate crime

- Lehi calls hearing on changing government

- Orem council discusses next year's budget, city manager's eye fashion

- Editorial: Throwing mud in Orem race

Tooele Transcript Bulletin

- GOP boots out commissioners, attorney

- Fed sting catches illegals in Tooele

- Editorial: Lessons learned

Salt Lake Tribune

- Leaving no child behind

- Trails, parks, rec centers among finalists for ZAP tax funds

- Feds: No charges against Yucca scientists

- Rolly: Hatch foe courting Hollywood

- U. profs' pay on par with peers

- County eyes condemning lots

- Cache County Council passes curbside recycling program

- NAACP, FBI, ACLU call for probe into Taser death

- Cottonwood looks into forming school district

- Who got -- or gave -- the cash?

- Western senators blunt about 'flawed' road policy

- City manager idea riles Lehi

- Democrats rally in Utah County, vow big victories

- Legislators seek further health industry probe

- Editorial: Grading U-PASS: Low expectations mean failing students don't count

- Editorial: Recall by ballot: Angry Kanab residents should vote officials out

Political Calendar

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- Apr 26: John Jacob Delegate Breakfast, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., IHOP, 3122 S 5600 W, West Valley City.
- Apr 26: Merrill Cook State Delegate Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Mimi's Cafe, 304 E University Parkway, Orem.
- Apr 26: Midday Metro on KCPW 88.3 FM at 10 a.m. will be co-hosted by the NAACP's Jeanetta Williams and Edward Lewis Jr. Topics include the NAACP's request for a civil rights investigation into the case of Alvin Itula, who died last week after being tasered by members of the Salt Lake City Police Department; gender equity pay; and this weekend's NAACP Region I conference in Arizona. Comments are welcome at midday@kcpw.org.

- Apr 26: United Way of Salt Lake Annual Compassionate Leader Awards Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Little America Hotel. Bishop H. David Burton will be honored as the Compassionate Leader of the Year, and seven other individuals and organizations will also be recognized. The cost to attend the luncheon is $15.00 or $150.00 for a table of ten. To reserve your seat, please contact Jennifer Andrs, United Way of Salt Lake’s special events manager at 801-736-7787 or visit www.uw.org.
- Apr 26: John Jacob Delegate Lunch Ruby Tuesdays, 12 to 1:30 p.m., 3318 S  Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City.
- Apr 26: Merrill Cook State Delegate Luncheon, 12 p.m, Carrabba's, 683 E University Parkway, Orem.
- Apr 26: Gov. Huntsman to attend Presidential Physical Fitness Awards Ceremony, 1 p.m, Park Lane Elementary School, 9955 South 2300 East, Sandy.
- Apr 26: Uintah County Republican Convention, 6:30 p.m., Vernal Junior High School, 161 North 1000 West Vernal.
- Apr 26: Salt Lake County District Attorney candidate Kent Morgan event at the Herriman City Hall (Council Chambers), 7 to 9 p.m., 13011 S. Pioneer Street Herriman.
- Apr 26: Salt Lake County Delegates "Pie Social" hosted by Joe Jarvis, Republican State Senate Dist. #2, 7 to 9 p.m., Marie Callender's, 1313 S. Foothill Drive.
- Apr 26: Duchesne County Republican Convention, 7:30 p.m., Union High School.
- Apr 26: Salt Lake County District Attorney candidate Lohra Miller Pie and Politics event, 8 to 9:30 p.m., Village Inn, 2929 S. State Street.
- Apr 27: Gov. Huntsman KUED Monthly News Conference, 10 a.m., KUED Studios.
- Apr 27: Merrill Cook State Delegate Luncheon, 12 p.m., Famous Dave's BBQ, 7273 S Plaze Drive (Jordan Landing), West Jordan.
- Apr 27: Gov. Huntsman to attend Exporting to China Seminar, 12:30 p.m., Miller Free Enterprise Center, 9750 South 300 West, Sandy.
- Apr 27: Meet the Candidate night with Joe Tucker, 3 p.m., Holladay Library, 2150 East Murray-Holladay Rd.
- Apr 27: Wayne County Democratic Convention, 6 p.m., Bicknell Library and Performing Arts Center, Bicknell. Pete Ashdown to speak at 7 p.m. For more info contact County Chair Brian Swanson 435-979-8786.
- Apr 27: KSL's "Let Me Speak to the Governor," 6 p.m, KSL Studios.
- Apr 27: Meet the Candidate night with Joe Tucker, 6:30 p.m., East Mill Creek Library, 2266 Evergreen Ave.
- Apr 27: Merrill Cook Meet the Candidate, 6:45 p.m., South Jordan Library, 10300 South Beckstead Lane (1575 W), South Jordan.
- Apr 27: Salt Lake County Libertarian Party Meeting, 7 p.m., Rocky Mountain Pizza Company, 3977 Wasatch Blvd., Holladay.

- See the entire calendar

Elected Officials Birthday List



 

 

Feature Story

There’s a HOT Lane in Your Future

By LaVarr Webb

Utah’s first experiment with a major tolling project is going to roll out this summer, and my bet is people are going to like it – once they understand it.

Utah will boast the longest High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lane in the country – 40 miles on I-15 from 600 North in Salt Lake City to the University Parkway exit in Orem.

The lane will continue to function as a HOV lane as it does today. Vehicles with more than one person will be able to use the lane at no cost just like today. But traffic studies show the HOV lane has unused capacity. Often, when the general purpose lanes are stacked up, the HOV lane has space for a lot more vehicles.

So the idea of a HOT lane is to allow people to pay to use the lane to efficiently use the excess capacity and to take cars and congestion off the general purpose lanes. So with HOT lanes, everyone wins. No one loses. 

Some naysayers will be resentful that people with plenty of money will be able to buy themselves a faster commute. I’m not among the critics. In fact, I hope a lot of people shell out the 50 bucks a month to drive in the HOV lane because it means less congestion and a faster commute for those of us who stay in the general purpose lanes. Call it a “Lexus lane” if you wish. It will mean a faster commute for all of us.

UDOT’s current HOT lane plan is really a limited pilot program and it won’t have much flexibility. Initially, 600 HOT lane permit “stickers” will be sold each month at $50 each. UDOT wants to avoid making the HOT lane too congested. High occupancy vehicles will still have priority and UDOT wants to keep the speed at 55 mph or higher. No one knows for sure if 600 permits are too few or too many, so there will be some experimentation. No one also knows if $50 a month is too high or too low a price.

Assuming the pilot project works, then UDOT may move toward a full electronic implementation, and that’s when things get interesting and the HOT lane really becomes a sophisticated congestion management tool.

With an electronic system, for example, an unlimited number of people could potentially obtain a transponder allowing them to use the HOT lane, but pricing would be variable, depending on congestion, time of day, and other conditions. That provides a lot more flexibility for users and for traffic managers.

For example, on typical commutes I might never use the HOT lane. But suppose I’m late for a very important meeting. I might use the HOT lane and be happy to pay whatever it cost. But I would be charged only for that one-time use, not for a full month.

During rush hour, when so many people might want to use the HOT lane that it could become bogged down, the price might rise to, say, a whopping $8 for one trip (with the price posted on electronic signs). That will keep the numbers at a manageable level. During other less congested parts of the day, use of the HOT lane might only be $1.

Sophisticated sensors and constant monitoring will allow pricing to vary based on traffic patterns and other conditions to facilitate the best possible congestion management. Some people will be pleased to pay a high price to avoid congestion, while others won’t. But every car in the HOT lane means one less in the general purpose lanes.

In order to leverage our transportation dollars, some form of tolling needs to be considered on all new highway capacity and construction. It’s unfortunate that the Legacy Highway isn’t a candidate for tolling.

Those Old TRAX Cars

The Utah Transit Authority got a great deal on some old light rail cars, and intends to refurbish them this summer. However, due to skyrocketing TRAX ridership, some of the old cars have had to be pressed into service even before being refurbished. Otherwise, TRAX would not be able to meet the demand and people would be left standing at stations waiting for the next train and hoping it has some space.

So we’re lucky to have the old cars, even with their well-documented problems. It’s great that TRAX is so popular and that ridership is up more than anyone could have predicted. UTA hates to leave anyone behind, and without use of the old cars, TRAX would simply be maxed out and overwhelmed during rush hour. The old cars will be cycled out to be refurbished over the next several months.

 

On the Move

Links to the Week's Key Transportation News Stories

-- Summit County lobbies mayors for $10 registration fee boost (Park Record).

-- Riders adjust to bus changes (Salt Lake Tribune).

-- Roads planned near depot, Stansbury (Tooele Transcript Bulletin).

-- Big tax bump asked for TRAX fast track (Salt Lake Tribune).

-- 'HOT' lanes likely coming (Deseret Morning News).

-- Legacy a Centerville asset (Standard-Examiner).

-- Utah Buses to Get RFID-Enabled Fareboxes (RFID Journal).

-- More cities find benefits in light rail (Gannett News).

-- New 4th lane is closing again (Deseret Morning News).

-- State OKs toll lane fee (Associated Press).

-- Travelers may fly St. George over Cedar City (St. George Spectrum).

-- Editorial: Interchange needs work (Spectrum).

-- Legacy to be built for traveling pleasure (Davis County Clipper).

-- Commission fires back at Killpack (Clipper).

-- WX votes to close portion of 800 West (Clipper).

-- For 50 bucks, life in the fast lane (Salt Lake Tribune).

-- Editorial: Speed up TRAX: Plan to build 4 new lines sooner makes sense (Tribune).

-- Airport board faces concerns as airline switch looms (St. George Spectrum).

-- Utah commission OKs stretch of I-15 toll lanes (Deseret Morning News).

-- New 4th lane closing again along I-15 in Utah County (Morning News).

-- Danger! Drowsy, distracted drivers (Deseret Morning News).

-- S.L. wins award for safer traffic lights (Morning News).

-- Rolly: 'New' trains on TRAX need some duct tape (Salt Lake Tribune).

-- UTA noted for 'green,' management standards (Tribune, Deseret Morning News and Associated Press).

-- Drivers switch to public transit. Salt Lake City and UTA mentioned (USA Today).

-- Traffic cameras help UDOT, but not law enforcement (KSL).

-- Interest in Arizona commuter rail grows; Utah noted as example (Arizona Republic).

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Utah Transportation Watch is a service of Utah Policy.com