Atlanta has now dealt with three weeks of a missing bridge on I-85 below GA-400 and now a full week of Braves commutes. While a pattern of slow traffic has now developed on the affected roads in these areas, droves of people are altering their commutes and driving at unfamiliar times and through areas about which they know little. And with this traffic shifted around to smaller roads or into the crowded lanes on I-285, the Atlanta commute is, well, wonky.
The strangeness of our commutes right now means that planning for them is more important than it ever has been. This means actually stopping and mapping out one’s ride before venturing out.
Using your favorite GPS app or the traffic page on wsbradio.com is a good start. You can map out your forecasted trip times and then see where wrecks could slow you down. Having a listen to a few traffic reports while you’re getting ready is always a good idea, whether you hear them on News 95.5/AM750 WSB or watch on Channel 2 Action News. The WSB Radio App has a feature to hear the most recent Triple Team Traffic report on demand. And then, of course, keep your radio dial in that position as you begin your ride.
Whether or not you use an app or device to plan your commute, something you absolutely should not do is try to program or adjust these devices while driving. That is dangerous in any scenario, but especially when you are driving in an area you aren’t used to. Through traffic on small neighborhoods has been a big problem since the I-85 closure - but imagine the consequences of fiddling with a device behind the wheel, while kids are playing in the street or cars are backing out of driveways.
I felt the need of planning my commute firsthand during my first trip to a Braves game Thursday evening. I did as the Braves said and purchased my parking beforehand, but I had not tried to find the lot on a map beforehand. As I exited I-285, I had to pull over find my parking pass, to then find the address and then enter it into my navigation. What a pain.
Then when I arrived at the lot, I was not quite sure where to park in the lot or where to walk afterwards. If I had planned my commute ahead of time, I would have checked a map and saved myself a few steps. The Braves can help this problem on site by improving the gross lack of signage around the wide array of lots.
We will discuss and analyze the new normal of our Atlanta commute 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday on WSB Radio, in a special traffic show hosted by former Gridlock Guy Mark Arum, Smilin’ Mark McKay, Ashley Frasca, and me. If you have some questions you want answered, call us at 404-872-0750 or send me an email.
The struggle on the Atlanta roads is real, but a bit of preparation could be some salve on the wound. This holds true even after I-85 re-opens in a few weeks.
