Benefit
When the ramp metering system on Minneapolis-St. Paul freeways was shut down, speeds fell by seven percent.
February 2001
Minneapolis-St. Paul,Minnesota,United States
Summary Information
A Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) study revealed the impacts of shutting down an extensive ramp metering system on Minneapolis-St. Paul area freeways for a 6-week evaluation period. The study analyzed data collected from four test corridors chosen to represent typical freeway configurations and conditions across the region. The study collected a variety of data using several data collection techniques, including probe vehicles operated during peak periods, traffic volume counts from existing traffic detectors and temporary installations, crash statistics, and traveler surveys.
FINDINGS
Results indicated that without ramp meters there was:
FINDINGS
Results indicated that without ramp meters there was:
- A 22 percent decrease in freeway travel times with meters, which more than offsets the elimination of ramp delays. Meters result in an annual systemwide savings of 25,121 hours
- A 7 percent reduction in freeway speeds
Notes
See Also:
Evaluation of Ramp Meter Control Effectiveness in Two Twin Cities Freeways, TRB 2002
Mn/DOT Ramp Meter Evaluation: Phase II Report
Goal Areas
Typical Deployment Locations
Metropolitan Areas
Keywords
ramp meters
Benefit ID: 2002-00233
Benefit Comments
No comments posted to date