Ramp Metering
Pilot Project
May 11th, 2010
E. Jason Sims, P.E.
Kansas City Scout TMC Manager
“TOC” vs “TMC”
Project History
And
Traffic Analysis
Kansas City Scout
Ramp Metering History
• National experiences and issues
• Why the I-435 corridor?
– Close interchange spacings
– Unique interchange configurations
Project Map
Ramp Meter
Location
104th St
Holmes Rd
State Line Rd
Roe Ave
Project Map
Traffic Analysis
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•
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Existing traffic volumes and speeds
Levels of service
Before crash patterns
Future traffic volumes
Microsimulation of before and after
Look and Feel of
Kansas City
Ramp Meters
Ramp Meters Across the U.S.
Ramp Meters Across the U.S.
One-Lane Ramp,
One Vehicle
Per Green
• Advance Warning
– ‘Be Prepared to
Stop’ sign
– Flashing yellow
indication
– Located on both
sides of ramp
– Clear Messages
– Flashing
beacons dark
when not in
operation
• Loop Detection
– Demand loops
– Passage loop
– Advance queue
detection loop
– AQ loop impacts
meter rate
– No backups onto
arterial street
• Ramp Meter Control
– ‘One Vehicle Per
Green’ sign
– Two red/green
indications
– ‘Stop Here on
Red’ sign
– ‘One Vehicle Per
Green’ sticker on
bottom indication
– All located on left
side of ramp
Real World Look…
Real World Look…
Dual-Lane Ramp
Meter, alternating One
Vehicle per green light
per lane. Westbound
State Line Road is a
potential location.
How It Works
• Some locations will allow two vehicles per green
light. Signs will indicate the number of cars
permitted per green.
Single-Lane, Two Vehicles per Green
Dual-Lane, Two Vehicles per Green
Customer Satisfaction
• Operational Observations
• Focus On Safety
• 1 Year Pre-Planned Public Relations
Campaign
Public Relations
Reach Targeted Audiences
Audience
Thematic Outreach Materials
Technical content with emphasis on facts,
Technical staff and local officials benefits, and experiences of other
communities
Local public officials
Less technical content with accent on ramp
metering benefits and safety
Law enforcement
(highway patrol)
Focuses on ramp metering operation and
enforcement
General public
Highly graphic, non-technical, and focuses
on the need for ramp metering
After Study
• One year study
• Scout will release a six month update
• Rush hour accident reductions are the
primary goal
• Improved mobility (reductions in travel
time) are secondary
Summary and Conclusion
• Why do KDOT and MoDOT want to
implement ramp metering?
• City concerns and government
education
• Law enforcement
• Customer inquiries
• E. Jason Sims TMC Manager
• Phone: 816.622.0528
• Email: ervin.sims@modot.mo.gov