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<br />1 Comment: Eight commenters noted that confining trucks to the outside lanes may make entry to <br /> <br />2 the interstate more difficult and could be a detriment, rather than an improvement to safety. <br /> <br />3 Response: The department's engineering study of the proposed restriction identified no <br /> <br />4 problematic ramp backups and congestion associated with existing left-lane truck restrictions. <br /> <br />5 The department's pilot truck lane restriction project in Houston showed a 68% reduction in <br /> <br />6 traffic crashes after the implementation and has not shown to impede vehicles entering the <br /> <br />7 interstate. <br /> <br />S <br />9 Comment: Three commenters noted that this is an unfair restriction on trucks and will increase <br /> <br />10 costs for truck operators. One of these commenters noted that trucks pay taxes and it is unfair to <br /> <br />11 restrict their access. <br /> <br />, 2 Response: The department believes that the proposed restriction does not place an unfair burden <br /> <br />3 on trucks or truck operators. Trucks will not have to alter their routes, may still use the highway, <br /> <br />14 and may still use the left lane to execute passing maneuvers. <br /> <br />15 <br />16 Comment: One cormnenter suggested that the restriction should also apply to buses. <br /> <br /> <br />17 Response: The department has been unable to identifY any quantifiable benefits from extending <br /> <br /> <br />18 these types of restrictions to buses as suggested. If research is performed in the future that <br /> <br /> <br />19 identifies tangible benefits for applying lane restrictions for buses or other classes of vehicles, <br /> <br /> <br />20 the department will consider expanding the restriction. <br /> <br /> <br />21 <br />22 Comment: One commenter objected that the department had not sought input from the trucking <br />~3 industry. <br /> <br />Page 5 of7 <br /> <br />27-May-04 <br /> <br />Exhibit A <br />