Question: Since the University of Hawaii at Manoa is back in session on Monday, I’d be interested in a story about how much additional time a person should give himself/herself to get to the same destination come Monday. For instance, I live in Aiea, and I drop off my son at an elementary school near UH in the morning. Now it takes me approximately 20 to 25 minutes to get from Aiea to UH. How much additional time should I plan for on Monday? Or if I lived in Mililani or Hawaii Kai, how much additional time should I give myself to get to downtown?
Answer: You’re wise to plan ahead as UH and large private schools in urban Honolulu prepare to resume classes next week. Doubling the usual summer commute time from any of the locations you mentioned is one rule of thumb to cope with the heavy Oahu traffic that builds this time of year. But if all anyone does is leave for work and school sooner, we’ll simply move the traffic agony to earlier hours. That’s one reason the state Department of Transportation emphasizes multiple strategies during the annual “Beat the School Jam” campaign. Among the tips:
>> Adjust commute times to avoid peak travel periods, starting Monday. Check up-to-the-minute traffic conditions before you hit the road by viewing Oahu’s traffic cams on TV or online, or by using a traffic app on your cellphone or other device. For example, you can download the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s app at staradvertiser.com/ download/app or from iTunes or Google Play on your mobile device. The DOT’s GoAkamai.org website and app provide a variety of helpful tools and allow registered users to personalize traffic alerts for specific routes.
“Looking at traffic conditions in advance can help people decide which route is best or if they should adjust the time they start their trip,” said Tim Sakahara, a DOT spokesman, who emphasized that drivers should look up the information before hitting the road and not use a mobile device while driving. “Remember to drive safely and obey traffic laws, as the fastest way to slow down traffic is a motor vehicle accident.”
>> Properly maintain and inspect vehicles to avoid tying up traffic by getting a flat tire, running out of gas or developing a preventable mechanical problem once on the road. If you do break down on the H-1, H-2 or the Moanalua Freeway, call the Freeway Service Patrol at 841-HELP (4357) for rapid assistance. This roadside service is free to stranded motorists and is intended to quickly clear major highways. FSP trucks are available weekdays from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find out more at fsphawaii.com.
>> Consider carpooling, van-pooling, riding TheBus, bicycling or walking to work or school. Parents of younger children may check with their child’s school for options. The University of Hawaii, meanwhile, has a commuter page useful for UH-Manoa students, faculty and staff. Find it at manoa.hawaii.edu/commuter.
>> Drive safely and be on the lookout for children walking or bicycling to school, as well as for other pedestrians.
>> The state Transportation Department will suspend construction-related road closures during daylight hours on major highways next week (Monday through Friday) to ease congestion. Emergency closures and roadwork that does not involve lane closures may be scheduled; nighttime work goes on as usual.
Work not overseen by the DOT continues, however, and could hamper traffic. For example, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply warned Thursday to expect roving lane closures on Kapiolani Boulevard between University Avenue and Date Street from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. all next week. That stretch is near ‘Iolani School, which also resumes classes Monday.
>> Last, follow these commuting tips beyond the first week. Some motorists are so mindful the first week that traffic ends up being OK; they let their guard down the following week and get jammed.
Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
