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Ramp Meters

Overview

In an effort to alleviate congestion and emphasize motorist safety, the Georgia Department of Transportation continues to implement its ramp metering program. Ultimately, as many as 168 Atlanta-area interstate interchanges are expected to feature ramp meters by 2010.

 

Ramp Meter Early Study Results

Since June 2008, GDOT has activated 148 ramp meters on 14 corridors in the Atlanta region. The following table provides early study results for 10 of these newly-metered corridors.

GDOT engineers have been measuring the BEFORE and AFTER conditions on the freeways where the meters have been activated. Meters are designed to smooth out the flow of freeway traffic, allowing higher travel speeds with less congestion. So far, the meters have been doing just that.

Below are some of the early results.

Corridor Avg Trip Time BEFORE Avg Trip Time AFTER % savings
I-85 N from I-285 to SR316 (PM) 28 mins 17 mins 39%
I-85 S from SR 316 to I-285 (AM) 21 mins 16 mins 24%
I-285 N from US78 to I-85 (AM) 9 mins 6 mins 33%
I-285 S from I-85 to US78 (PM) 15 mins 11 mins 26%
75/85 N from Langford to I-20 (AM) 10 mins 6.5 mins 35%
I-75 N from I-285 to Wade Green (PM) 26.5 mins 20 mins 24%
I-75 S from Wade Green to I-285 (AM) 26 mins 21 mins 19%
I-285 N from I-20 to US 78 (AM) 14.5 mins 11 mins 24%
I-285 W from GA400 to I-75 (PM) 13.5 mins 11.5 mins 14%
I-285 W from I-85 to GA400 (AM) 10.5 mins 8.5 mins 19%