Freeway Space

Those of you driving on Los Angeles freeways who think that I leave that car length's space in front of me specifically for you to whip your speeding automobile into and then hit your brakes, well that is not why. The space is there so that I can stop my car without hitting the car in front of me. If you continue to drive like this I can assure you that you will soon find your personalized license plate embedded in your brain. MICHELE ROBERTS Pasadena

We at Caltrans were delighted with the excellent article by Evelyn De Wolfe on freeway airspace (Aug. 30) as well as the accompanying article on development in Seattle. Ms. De Wolfe accurately depicted many of the benefits to the community from our airspace leasing program. These include employment in the construction and utilization of buildings and the return of sales and possessory interest taxes on otherwise tax-exempt land.

When I ride with my husband on the freeway, he exercises the same precaution as Roberts. Too many times has the same feeling of exasperation, as well as fear, hit both of us. JOAN MOBERG Redondo Beach

Hardin's article was a much needed statement. He aptly illustrates the principle that by trying to keep up with demand (by temporarily increasing the supply) we only succeed in increasing further the demand. This same principle can be applied to virtually all areas of urban and economic planning. Whenever we try to meet needs by supplying more (of whatever it is we are short of), we only temporarily succeed in answering the demand and, by so doing, we facilitate more growth, which in turn increases the demand for that particular commodity.

Hardin's article was a much needed statement. He aptly illustrates the principle that by trying to keep up with demand (by temporarily increasing the supply) we only succeed in increasing further the demand. This same principle can be applied to virtually all areas of urban and economic planning. Whenever we try to meet needs by supplying more (of whatever it is we are short of), we only temporarily succeed in answering the demand and, by so doing, we facilitate more growth, which in turn increases the demand for that particular commodity.

I was appalled by "The Big Fix," by J. E. Ferrell (April 14). Our solution to this problem need not be "technologically" complex. Just as we jointly campaigned and practiced to conserve water, we must also do so to conserve our freeway space. For example, we need to urge businesses to shift their hours, in order to create night, graveyard, off-hour (not 9 to 5) schedules and to double, split or create weekend shifts. If we created a 24-hour city, it would cause an economy boost, accompanied by more jobs and decreased unemployment, another problem of ours that needs to be addressed.

Waxman makes a good case for investigating other rapid transit possibilities rather than settling for a subway system beset with potential safety problems and ever-diminishing hope of adequate financing. Since it seems clear that the public transportation funding pie will be considerably smaller in the future, we will need to use what money is available very wisely. I support his advocacy of using freeway right-of-way for light-rail lines. This is a concept that has been used successfully in Chicago, which now has three rapid transit lines running down freeway medians.

Roberts comments on those who cut in and preempt her freeway spacing, wishing bad cess to their assured comeuppance, brings forth an interesting aspect of the driving task and the attitudes engendered. There tends to be a proprietary, dog-in-a-manger feeling about that space ahead in your lane and intruders arouse unkind sentiments, which, if you are not of a philosophical bent, may cause you to let your guard down. Lapses of just a moment can result in a great deal of mischief.