The state’s first ramp meter went into action today from 6-10 a.m. on the Essen Lane on-ramp to westbound I-12. There will be no ramp meter for the Essen eastbound on-ramp to I-12.

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced that work on the state’s first interstate highway ramp meter system began last month, and will continue with the installation and construction of 15 more ramp meter locations through this summer.

The ramp meter signals will stop vehicles for about four seconds on the on-ramp and allow drivers to access the interstate in an orderly and evenly-spaced fashion, sometimes described as a “zipper effect.” If the ramp meter is turned off, drivers should proceed without stopping. For Essen Lane, the ramp meter will only be utilized from 6-10 a.m. weekdays, and will be continually monitored by DOTD staff.

The ramp meter system will help reduce congestion, provide a safer merge for vehicles entering the interstate travel lanes, improve travel time reliability and complement the I-12 widening.

Ramp meter installation is currently occurring at Airline Highway (to eastbound and westbound I-12) and Jefferson Highway (to eastbound I-12), and will move west toward the Walker/LA 447 interchange.

Ramp metering facts:

Studies have shown that ramp meters increase safety by reducing crashes at on-ramps by an average of 30 percent.

More than 20 states in the nation use ramp meters, but this will be the first use of the traffic management system in Louisiana.

In a study of the I-12 corridor, the afternoon travel time is 48 minutes, with an average speed of 11 mph. After the combination of widening and ramp meters, some commuters will see commute times

reduced to approximately 9 minutes, and travel speeds increase to 55 mph.

DOTD has stressed that the ramp meters will be continually monitored by DOTD personnel. If the system does not improve traffic flow, adjustments can and will be made.

What drivers can expect:

Westbound ramp meters will be activated first, then eastbound ramp meters, with Range and O’Neal eastbound being last. Prior to activation, the signal will be covered for several days and a Variable Message Sign (VMS) will notify motorists of the upcoming change.

The ramp meters will operate exclusively during peak travel times, 6-10 a.m. for westbound on-ramps and 2-7 p.m. for eastbound on-ramps, and during special events or incidents.

Background:

After the Essen Lane ramp meters are functioning, future installations will be announced to the public prior to activation, and drivers will notice the equipment being installed.

DOTD is offering to meet with interested groups and/or make presentations regarding the ramp meter system or the current Interstate 10/12 widening projects that are part of the Geaux Wider program. For more information on this project, visit www.GeauxWider.com or call Louisiana DOTD Customer Service at 1-877-4LA-DOTD (452-3683) 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Interim Secretary Sherri LeBas, P.E. announced that work on the state’s first interstate highway ramp meter system began May 10.

The ramp meters will help reduce congestion, provide a safer merge for vehicles entering the interstate travel lanes, improve travel time reliability and complement the I-12 widening. Once activated, the ramp meter signals will stop vehicles for about four seconds on the on-ramp and allow drivers to access the interstate in an orderly and evenly-spaced fashion, sometimes described as a “zipper effect.”

“The ramp meter system combined with the widening projects on I-12 will result in a reduction of travel times by more than 30 minutes for some commuters,” said LeBas. “We must embrace new traffic management systems such as ramp meters because building new roads or widening existing roads is only one means of addressing the needs of the traveling public. Ramp meters will benefit motorists in their daily travels and improve safety for merging traffic.”

Ramp metering facts:

• Studies have shown that ramp meters increase safety by reducing crashes at on-ramps by an average of 30 percent.
• More than 20 states in the nation use ramp meters, but this will be the first use of the traffic management system in Louisiana.
• In a study of the I-12 corridor, the afternoon travel time is 48 minutes, with an average speed of 11 mph. After the combination of widening and ramp meters, some commuters will see commute times reduced to approximately 9 minutes and travel speeds increase to 55 mph.
• DOTD has stressed that the ramp meters will be continually monitored by DOTD personnel. If the system does not improve traffic flow, adjustments can and will be made.

Site work and activation scheduled:

• Beginning May 10: Initial site work including installation of electrical equipment along Interstate 12 on-ramps in the areas of Airline Highway (to eastbound and westbound I-12), Jefferson Highway (to eastbound I-12) and Essen Lane (to westbound I-12).

• Beginning end of May: Installation of ramp meter mast arms and structures.
• Beginning in June: The first ramp meter activation on the Essen Lane westbound on-ramp.

What drivers can expect:

In all, ramp meters will be placed at 16 on-ramps along Interstate 12 between Essen Lane and the Walker/LA 447 interchanges. The installation work begins at Essen Lane and continues east.

Westbound ramp meters will be activated first, then eastbound ramp meters, with Range and O’Neal eastbound being last. Prior to activation, the signal will be covered for several days and a Variable Message Sign (VMS) will notify motorists of the upcoming change.

The ramp meters will operate exclusively during peak travel times, 6-10 a.m. for westbound on-ramps and 2-7 p.m. for eastbound on-ramps, and during special events or incidents. 

Background:

After the Essen Lane ramp meters are functioning, future installations will be announced to the public prior to activation, and drivers will notice the equipment being installed.

Ramp meters? What’s that? Well it’s not a new concept, but it sure is a foriegn concept in Louisiana.

A ramp meter is a red light located ON the entrance/on ramp to the interstate.

It’s purpose: To stop each car for a 2 – 4 second interval.

The concept: By creating a gap between each car, traffic can merge and flow smoother onto the interstate.

Also by putting a gap in-between each car you don’t have a constant line trying to merge which creates a big slow down to the hundreds already on the interstate.

A good concept actually, but will it work here? I think that at first people will not know what to think of this new found light…esp with it being about a quarter of the way to half way up the on-ramp.

As much as I’ve travelled I have only seen ramp meters in one other city – Minneapolis. Our DOTD secretary said these are usually used in major metropolitan areas, but he wants to prove that there are other methods, besides widening, to help traffic. A good idea, but here in Baton Rouge we cant afford to minimize the emphasis on widening clogged roads.

Ones first though would be: “Wouldn’t this clog up the surface streets with cars waiting to get on the interstate?” DOTD already figured this out. There would be sensors placed in certain areas and if traffic gets to heavy the lights will shut off, or can adjust to shorter times (2 or 3 seconds).

The ramp meters would run during peak times in the morning and evening. If all goes according to plan there should be 16 ramp meters at 9 intersections.