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August 16, 2005 10:10 AM, EDT

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rucks may get their own lanes on parts of Atlanta's interstate highway system after a study by the Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority suggested Atlanta metro-area interstates would be 20% less crowded if truck-only toll lanes were added instead of previously proposed carpool lanes.

A state trucking representative praised the option - which would employ congestion pricing instead of flat tolls as a way to regulate traffic flow - while state officials cautioned that the study was only a preliminary step in the direction of truck-only lanes for Atlanta's four major interstates.

"This is the first study of its kind in the country," said Ed Crowell, president of the Georgia Motor Trucking Association. "We're excited because it's an attempt to improve efficiency rather than get money out of truckers to pay for the road with tolls."

For the full story, see the Aug. 15 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.