What is Slugging?

Who We Are

Slugging is at its core a community driven initiative that needs an initial boost to establish a critical mass of users to enable ride matching. The I-66 Slugging Challenge is a project funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Small Business Innovation Research Program. AEM Corporation leads the project, and the USDOT Federal Highway Administration provides technical support.

Our goal is to establish a vibrant slugging community along the I-66 corridor.

The I-66 Slugging Network is a time-limited coalition of residential groups, employers, and public agencies committed to fostering a slugging community along the I-66 corridor. Network members share a passion for efficient, sustainable, and grassroots transportation solutions in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.

To the extent that their resources and capabilities permit, the I-66 Slugging Network members are committed to:

• Raising awareness of slugging as a time-saving, cost-effective, and safe commuting option along the I-66 Corridor.
• Supporting the I-66 Challenge with signage, digital tools, and community engagement initiatives.
• Providing information and resources for complementary travel options such as the Commuter Connections Guaranteed Ride Home Program.

For questions regarding the I-66 Slugging Challenge and Network, please email us at contact@slugi66.com.

I-66 Slugging Network Members

How Slugging Works

A driver in need of passengers to meet the requirements for HOV-3+ Express Lanes pulls up to a designated slug line. The driver either displays a printed sign with the destination (e.g., “L’Enfant Plaza”) or simply lowers the passenger window and calls out the destination. A rider (slug) waiting in line for that destination will respond, hop into the car, and confirm the destination with the driver. Once the car has three or more occupants, the driver switches their E‑ZPass Flex to HOV ON mode and uses the I‑66 Express Lanes. It’s that simple, and off they go. For those new to slugging, be sure to visit the Etiquette section to learn more.

No money is exchanged because there is a mutual benefit to slugging – the vehicle driver needs riders just as much as the slugs need a ride!

Slugging Etiquette

Slugging has its own set of unwritten rules and etiquette. Most of the rules are basic courtesy, but others are truly unique to slugging. Just like other rules of etiquette, the slugging rules are only casually enforced, meaning you likely will not get kicked out of a vehicle for breaking one of the rules, but you may be frowned upon by some.

Remember – this is not Uber or Lyft. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement between drivers and riders.

Below are some of the rules that exist today:

• First come, first served. The drivers and riders first in line at the slug lines get the next rider/driver to their destination. The first rider in line also gets to choose the front or back seat. Slugs should never take a ride out of turn. The exception to this rule is Will Call. This refers to the driver’s option to pick a particular slug not at the front of the line. This situation usually happens when a driver sees a friend in line and simply calls for that individual by name.
• No "Body Snatching." If the line of vehicles picking up slugs is too long, many times drivers will cruise the commuter parking lots, attempting to pick up slugs walking to the line. This practice is unfair to both slugs and drivers and will result in a “free-for-all.”
• Slugs and drivers have the right to pass or forfeit a ride. Trust your instincts. Slugs and drivers may decline any ride if they do not feel comfortable or safe. If something doesn't feel right, simply pass on the ride and wait for another opportunity. No one is required to get into a vehicle or pick up passengers if they are not comfortable doing so.
• Seat belts. It's understood that both the driver and the riders should buckle-up. Drivers, please allow the slugs time to do so before leaving the slug line.
• The line does not leave a woman standing alone. In the name of safety, standard slugging procedure avoids leaving a woman waiting for a ride by herself. If there are three slugs waiting for a ride and the driver needs only two riders to meet the HOV-3 requirement, the slugs should ensure that a woman is not left alone. A man should forfeit his place in line and wait for another ride, the slugs should decline the ride until another slug or driver arrives, or the slugs could ask the driver if they can take all three. This practice avoids leaving a woman alone on the street, especially at night.
• No money, gifts, or tokens of appreciation are ever offered or requested. A driver doesn’t expect the rider to contribute toward gas money. The relationship between the driver and rider is mutually supporting. The driver needs the slugs just as much as the slugs need the driver. If a driver wants help with the gas, they should organize their own carpool. They shouldn’t ask a slug to pitch in to help them access the Express Lanes!
• No "curbside" service. There are certain understood destinations. Monument Drive means the slug lane on the ground level of the Monument Drive commuter garage, not the gas station down the street or around the block to where you live. If you have a special request, be sure to ask the driver before accepting the ride. Normally, as long as the stop is on the way, drivers will not object.
• Drivers should not "stop short." Stopping short happens when the driver decides not to take the slug all the way to the agreed-upon destination. For example, the driver decides to stop at his/her work parking garage, just a few blocks short of the designated slugging drop-off location, forcing the slug to walk the remainder of the distance. In this case the driver should tell the slug that he is only going part way to the destination and let the slug decide whether to accept the ride.
• Slugs do not talk. Normally, there is no conversation unless initiated by the driver. Usually, the only words exchanged are "thank you" as the driver drops off the slug at the destination. However, this depends on the parties involved, and there are times when conversation is acceptable. One note about this rule. Even though it may sound impolite not to initiate conversation, there are some good reasons why this rule exists. The driver (and sometimes the slug) isn’t always interested in getting to know the other person; all that is wanted is a quiet ride to/from work. For many riders, it’s a chance to think, sleep, or read the paper. For the driver, it may be the only chance to listen to the news or relax to music. The last thing both riders and drivers want is to feel obligated to carry on a 30-minute or longer conversation. It’s a good rule. Sometimes conversations do take place. Steer clear of topics that may make others uncomfortable, including religion, politics, and sex.
• Both slugs and drivers usually exchange a "Thank you" before and after the ride.
• Consideration. Both drivers and slugs should use common consideration during the commute. For example, drivers should try to use a relatively clean car, avoid heavy use of perfumes or colognes, and keep the radio at a moderate level.
• There is no smoking or eating by the driver or slug.
• Cell phones. Slugs should not have a conversation on their cell phones while commuting. The very short, "Hey, I'm on my way home." is okay, but do not have a long conversation about what you did last weekend! For drivers, it is acceptable.
• Save personal grooming for later. Please wait until you reach your destination to apply makeup, comb your hair, or take care of other personal grooming activities.
• A slug does not ask to change the radio station or adjust the heat or air conditioning.
• Normally, the slug does not open or close the window.

Suffice it to say, for being an unregulated system without written rules, the concept of slugging has a very structured approach that operates very well by the will of the people.

History of Slugging in Washington, D.C.

Slugging has been around in the Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. area for about 50 years, debuting around the 1975 timeframe shortly after the HOV lanes were opened to carpools and vanpools.

The Shirley Highway (I-395) section of the I-95/I-395 HOV facility was the first freeway HOV lane in the United States. Opened in 1969, it was originally a bus-only lane. The initial 4.8-mile reversible bus-only lane was extended and expanded into a 9-mile, two-lane reversible facility in 1975 when it was opened to carpools and vanpools with four or more occupants (HOV-4+). In January 1989, the HOV requirement was reduced to HOV-3+. Since then, the HOV facility has been extended further south along I-95 reaching its current limit at Virginia Route 3 in Spotsylvania.

When the HOV lanes on "The Shirley Highway" (I-95/I-395) were opened to carpools and vanpools in 1975, the first slug lines began to emerge. With these high occupancy lanes being strictly enforced, drivers had to abide by the HOV-4 rule (later changed to HOV-3) or pay stiff fines.

When a driver did not have enough occupants in their vehicle to take the HOV lane, the driver would pull up to a line of commuters waiting for the bus and offer a ride to anybody in the line. Faced with waiting in the summer heat or winter cold for a bus that could be late or at capacity, some commuters began opting to ride in someone’s vehicle. Soon, word began to spread as drivers found an easy solution to meeting the HOV requirements.

Links to Other Slugging Resources

The Slug I-66 Facebook Group

www.facebook.com/groups/slugi66

A community created for the I-66 Slugging Challenge to connect active I-66 drivers and riders.

I-66 Sluglines Facebook Group

www.facebook.com/groups/i66sluglines

Connect with others commuting along I-66.

Slug-Lines.org

www.slug-lines.org

For information about slugging along I-95.

Commuter Connections

www.commuterconnections.org

Commuter Connections is a network of northern Virginia, D.C. and Maryland commuter organizations coordinated by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. It provides commuters with information on all of their commute options, so they can make smart choices about travel to work. It also helps employers establish commuting benefits / assistance programs, including telework / telecommute programs.

OmniRide

www.omniride.com

Provides bus transportation in Northern Virginia and helps promote carpools and vanpools.

Fairfax Connector

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector

Provides bus transportation in Northern Virginia.

goDCgo

www.godcgo.com/car

An initiative of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) that encourages the use of sustainable transportation.