GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN AND OPERATION OF RAMP CONTROL SYSTEMS

Abstract

This report is intended as a guide to designers of ramp metering control systems. It is aimed at the working traffic engineer who has had a minimum of freeway operations experience. The emphasis is on practical and proven techniques, not on research or on experimental procedures. As a first step, the report provides guidance in determining whether a proposed metering system is potentially effective. Assuming that cost and related criteria are met, guidelines are given for the design, implementation, and operation of systems using three types of metering: Pretimed, Locally Actuated, and Centralized;Interconnected. Multiple-System Metering is also treated briefly. A final chapter cites the benefits and costs of ramp metering at a number of existing locations and describes techniques for a specific benefit- cost study.