When the ramp metering system on Minneapolis-St. Paul freeways was shut down, speeds fell by seven percent.
Date Posted
04/19/2002
Identifier
2002-B00233
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Twin Cities Ramp Meter Evaluation

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:
  • 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.
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Deployment Locations