Background

Ramp meters have been used effectively to reduce traffic congestion in more than 20 cities nationwide for more than 20 years. Recent studies show the effectiveness of ramp meters in reducing congestion, travel times and accidents.

Georgia DOT began implementing ramps meters on Interstate 75 in 1996 and continued the installation on the I-75/85 Downtown Connector in 2005.

Ramp Meters in Atlanta are necessary due to the increasing congestion in the metropolitan area. Georgia DOT’s 2004-2006 accident data shows approximately 9.5 percent of Atlanta's traffic accidents on I-75, I-85, I-20 and I-285 occurred at entrance ramps. These accidents were, in some way, related to merging onto the freeway.

What Are Ramp Meters?

Ramp Meters are traffic signal devices located on entrance ramps to the freeway. They regulate the frequency of vehicles entering the flow of traffic on a freeway.

Ramp Meters are one of the tools in the toolbox to help mitigate traffic congestion. By pacing the entry of vehicles onto the freeway – usually at 3 to 4 second intervals – the merging vehicles are less likely to slow the freeway traffic. The meters help to:

• Split up the continuous flow of traffic from entrance ramps
• Allow vehicles to merge with freeway traffic more smoothly
• Make travel safer
• Enable the freeway to accommodate more vehicles during peak hour travel

They are utilized during the morning/afternoon peak travel hours, Monday through Friday.