Question: I am one of thousands who drive the H-1 freeway to work and back every day. Is there a specific time the ZipperLane should be opened? In recent weeks crews have been slow to open it, resulting in traffic jams at 5 a.m. When they’re done before 5, traffic flows much better. Also, after the ZipMobile moves the barriers, turning off the blinding rooftop lights would be a big help. I understand warning lights, but those belong on the Las Vegas Strip.
Answer: Your question came in before "Carmageddon" besieged motorists March 31, following the breakdown of the state Department of Transportation’s two ZipMobiles.
In that aftermath we finally got an answer: The ZipperLane is supposed to be fully opened by 5:30 a.m. weekdays, excluding holidays, but may be opened as early as 5 a.m.
Barring any delays, the ZipMobile normally reaches the Waikele area, the starting point of the ZipperLane, from 5 to 5:20 a.m., according to the DOT.
This is the process: A support truck trails the ZipMobile, checking the barriers, picking up any road debris and ensuring the lane is safe for travel.
Entrance gates are then opened by the crew as the truck passes each gate.
On mornings with no safety-related issues, the lane may be fully opened to traffic as early as 5 a.m.
If issues do occur, the lane opening may be delayed to its normal start time at 5:30 a.m. as crews work to resolve any problems.
The priority is to ensure that all safety issues are fully addressed before opening the lane to traffic, according to a spokesman.
He said there have been no recorded late openings in the past month.
(We’re told that "technically," the ZipperLane openings March 31 and April 1 were "on time," since the closing of the lane was canceled March 31, leaving the barriers deployed overnight, and closing was late on the afternoon of April 1, following the ZipMobile repairs.)
As for the lights, there is no plan to change the current practice of turning them off once the ZipMobile reaches its stopping point.
There is one rooftop light mounted on the front of the ZipMobile and one on the rear, according to the DOT spokesman. Both shine downward to illuminate the movable concrete barriers and allow the driver to align them accurately.
Question: I walk early in the morning for exercise, when the sun is barely up yet, so it is quite dark. I’ve seen cars with no lights on. Is there a law for that? I hope people who are driving early in the morning put on their lights. It is very dangerous for walkers and joggers if the car lights are not on, even in a crosswalk — especially if the car is a dark color, like black. It also helps other cars see them as well.
Answer: Basically, all motor vehicles, including motorcycles and motor scooters, on public roadways are supposed to have their headlights and taillights on when it’s dark, specifically, from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
Section 291-25 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes specifies the requirements for headlights, while Section 291-31 specifies the requirements for tail lights.
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