Ramp Metering

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Ramp Metering Pilot Project
May 6, 2009
K. Mark Sommerhauser, P.E. (Scout ITS Project
Manager)
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Project Team

• Design
• Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
• CJW Transportation Consultants
• Traffic Analysis
• George Butler and Associates, Inc.
• Public Involvement
• Patti Banks Associates

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History and Traffic Analysis
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Kansas City Scout Ramp Metering History

• Why the I-435 corridor?
• Intricacies
• Corridor Geometrics

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Project Map
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Project Map
Holmes Rd
State Line Rd
Roe Ave
104th St
Ramp Meter Location
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Geometric Constraints
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Corridor Geometrics
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Corridor Geometrics
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Traffic Analysis

• Existing traffic volumes and speeds
• Levels of service
• Before crash patterns
• Future traffic volumes
• Microsimulation of before and after

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Look and Feel of Kansas City Ramp Meters
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One-Lane Ramp, One Vehicle Per Green
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• Advance Warning
• Ramp Metered When Flashing sign
• Flashing yellow indication
• Located on both sides of ramp
• Clear Messages
• Flashing beacons dark when not in operation

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• Loop Detection
• Demand loops
• Passage loop
• Advance queue detection loop
• AQ loop impacts meter rate
• No backups onto arterial street

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• 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

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Real World Look
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Two-Lane Ramp, One Vehicle Per Green
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• Advance Warning
• Ramp Metered When Flashing sign
• Flashing yellow indications
• Located on both sides of ramp
• Same look as single-lane ramp

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• Loop Detection
• Advance queue detection loops
• Demand loops
• Passage loops
• Located in both lanes

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• Ramp Meter Control
• Same look as single-lane ramp metering
• Equipment on both sides of ramp

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• Merging
• Pavement Width Transition sign for advance
  merge warning

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Real World Look
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Other ConfigurationsOne-Lane Ramp, Two Vehicles
Per Green
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Other ConfigurationsTwo-Lane Ramp, Two Vehicles
Per Green
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Law EnforcementTattle-Tale Enforcer
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Public Relations
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Public Relations Campaign

• The goal is to
• Raise awareness, educate, and change driving
  expectations
• We can reach our goal by
• Using a core set of presentation materials to
  share the right level of information with the
  right audiences

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Campaign Objectives

• Maximize communication
• Build on existing partnerships
• Create new relationships

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Along the Way

• Develop clear, accurate, easy to understand
  information
• Establish consistent themes/speaking points
• Understand that the media is our biggest ally
• Recognize the campaign is a collaborative effort

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Reach Targeted Audiences
Audience Thematic Outreach Materials
Technical staff and local officials Technical content with emphasis on facts, 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
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Spreading the Word

• Ramp Metering Pre-Launch
• Generate a public relations plan
• Capitalize on early relationships built with the
  media
• Create a timeline for ramp metering activities
  and outreach

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After Study

• One year study
• MoDOT RFP Summer 2009
• Travel Time Reliability
• Accident Statistics
• Mobility Statistics

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Summary and Conclusion
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Summary and Conclusion

• Why do KDOT and MoDOT want to implement ramp
  metering?
• Kansas City Scout as an active traffic management
  system
• City concerns and government education
• Law enforcement
• Customer inquiries

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Questions?