Carpooling on the horizon

In the traffic-clogged Chicago area, you'd think carpooling would be right up there with Mom and apple pie for many drivers.

But Jon Brozenec of Bartlett had a slightly different take on a plan announced by Gov. Rod Blagojevich Wednesday to create so-called "Green Lanes" on the Illinois tollway benefiting vehicles with more than one occupant and drivers of energy-efficient cars.

"Politicians - don't we love them," Brozenec of Bartlett said grinning, as he pumped gas at the Des Plaines Oasis on the Jane Addams Tollway. Brozenec added he believed the proposal was really about creating jobs and generating money for road construction.

However, Chicagoan Mike Guidi embraced the concept.

"Anything that helps the environment is a good idea," Guidi said.

Plenty of details must be ironed out concerning the Green Lanes, which would cost $400 million to set up and involve 80 miles along I-355, the Tri-State, I-88 and the Jane Addams. The carpool lanes will be set up using existing lanes on the tollway's most-traveled segments.

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Board needs to vote on the idea and a series of public hearings will be held starting in November.

Drivers at the Des Plaines oasis generally endorsed carpooling but some said it's not for everyone and requires a different mindset.

"In California, kids grow up with it. Chicagoans don't know what it means," Brozenec said.

"It requires planning to have someone ride with you," said Jeremy Brooks, a Chicagoan who hails from Washington State.

Jose Rodriguez who commutes from Schaumburg to Gurnee, liked the idea but noted, "usually I drive on my own."

In addition to the carpooling plan, state officials also talked about a new congestion relief program involving reconfiguring and improving the much-criticized I-290/Route 53 interchange with I-90 for $500 million and building an interchange between the Tri-State and I-57 in the south suburbs for $500 million.

Essentially, the carpooling proposal creates a designated lane for vehicles with two or more occupants that would pay regular I-PASS rates at tolls. Energy-efficient vehicles, such as hybrids, would be allowed to use the lanes at slightly higher rates, yet to be set.

People driving alone in regular vehicles could also use the Green Lanes but would pay a higher toll meant to discourage abuse. Deductions would be made electronically.

"These will not be Lexus lanes, they will be green lanes," tollway Chairman John Mitola said.

The Green Lanes and new building program would "reduce congestion, reduce pollution and create jobs," Blagojevich said, estimating it would mean 5,700 fewer cars on the roads daily.

But one watchdog organization has questions about the program's efficacy.

The idea of carpooling is "great," said Terry Pastika of the Citizens Advocacy Center in Elmhurst. Still, "I don't see how allowing single users to pay a higher price will alleviate congestion. It seems counterproductive," she said.

Other states that offer carpooling lanes, such as California, charge fines starting at $271 for violators.

Pastika also cited problems with the tollway I-PASS system that resulted in people being incorrectly fined and leaving a backlog of errors to correct.

"Basing this on the I-PASS system is highly problematic. We're still getting calls from people getting faulty notices," she said.

Washington state has carpool or high-occupancy vehicle lanes. On average, the state's HOV lanes carry more than one-third of drivers during rush hour in 19 percent of the vehicles, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Pace operates the region's ride-sharing program, which encourages carpooling and has roughly 3,800 users. It's a number that's growing, Pace spokesman Patrick Wilmot said.

However, 3,800 is still a drop in the bucket if you consider Metropolitan Planning Council numbers from 2005 showing the region had 4.4 million drivers hitting the roads daily during both rush hours.

Asked why more people aren't carpooling, Wilmot said, "there are conveniences you have to give up, from control over the radio to the time you leave work."

But Jack Darin, who heads up the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club, said the plan was a "fantastic incentive" for drivers to share rides and reduce pollution contributing to health problems, such as asthma, and global warming.

Blagojevich also said two finalists for the tollway executive director position are under consideration. Executive Director Brian McPartlin's last day is Oct. 24.