Ramp metersRamp meters•Jeff Kurth•Jeremy Tenant•Norah Montes de OcaCase study: 2Background •Dolf May, father of metering.•First meter on Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) in Chicago inSeptember 1963.•First day of meter switched on.•Huge reaction.•Almost 40 years later, meters are standard on many freeways.In Minnesota: It started in 1970 with six meters on InterstateHwy. 35E north of St. Paul. When the first meters were turned on in 1970,no one knew if drivers would obey them. By 1995 there were 160 miles of highwaycontrolled by meters at 366 freeway on-ramps inthe Twin Cities area, more meters per mile thanany other state. Today there are 430 ramp meters in the TwinCities area.•Loop detectors•Buried cables•Closed circuit cameras•Signals•Main computer•Traffic ManagementCenter•Ramp meter operators•Traffic Reporter•Information officersHow ramp meters are controlledITS Institute University of MinnesotaA little history of shuttingA little history of shuttingdown ramp meters:down ramp meters: Early 1995, drivers started to question if ramp meters werehelping congestion. In 1997 angry commuters want turn-off-the-meters test. November 1999, minority Senator leader Dick Day proposes toturn off the meters on October 2000 because he doubt the valueof ramp meters and to test the effects of traffic. February 2001, results were given to the public.MNDoT Study With Meters: 18mph faster during peak hour Lower car emissions, but more gas Without Meters Throughput down 15% 2.6 million hours/year of unexpected delay More accidents (1041 accudents/yr)MNDoT Conclusion$40 million/year for Twin Cities travelersSystem cost $3 - 8 million/year$400 million for 10 miles of 6 lane freewayPeople want meters with modificationCompared to other cities?Negative attitudes aroundNegative attitudes aroundRamp Meters.Ramp Meters. Longer waits. More congestion onLocal arteries. Equity Issues HOV lanes Skipping in LineITS Institute University of MinnesotaBenefits Saves Time and Money Balances Use of AvailableTransportation Routes Improves Safety and ReducesAccidents Provides Consistent Commute Times Improves Merging Conditions Maintains Access to Regional Centers Manages Congestion and ProvidesConsistent Travel Speeds Improves Air Quality/Reduces FuelConsumption Provides Travel Time Incentives toBuses and HOV’s Aids freight movementITS Institute University of MinnesotaITS Institute University of MinnesotaQuestions to discuss: Do meters help commuters? Do ramp meters cost or save drivers time? What's the use of having meters when traffic cannot goanywhere. Are ramp meters fair? Do ramp meters help congestion? What do people not like ramp meters? Ramp meters vs. Congestive pricing. Maximizing efficiency vs Free flow speeds. Should certain ramps be closed during rush
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