U.S. 95 ramp meters to go live on March 29

Ramp meter signals are scheduled to be activated at entrance ramps to U.S. Highway 95 and Interstate 515 startug March 29 with the Cheyenne Avenue and Lake Mead Boulevard on-ramps.

Later this spring signals at the I-515 on-ramps at Fourth Street/Casino Center Drive, Las Vegas Boulevard and Eastern Avenue are set to be activated, as well.

The meters will allow one car at a time to go down the entry ramp. It is hoped this will eliminate mass merging and back-ups.

To trigger the ramp sensor, motorists need to pull up to the white stop bar on the pavement. The signal will change more rapidly than a regular traffic light. Drivers can proceed only when the light is green. The next driver in line gets a red light until the signal cycles back to green, usually in a matter of a few seconds.

At freeway entrance ramps with more than one travel lane, each will be controlled by its own ramp meter. Motorists are encouraged to use both lanes.

To keep traffic from backing up beyond the ramp, detectors will increase the signal cycle to allow cars to enter the freeway at a faster rate.

Ramp metering has proven effective in cities nationwide, achieving reductions in freeway accidents and increasing freeway travel speeds. Traffic accidents were reduced in other cities implementing the system by 50 percent, according to information on the Regional Transportation Commission's Web site.

Robert H. McKenzie, public information officer with the Nevada Department of Transportation, said sensors have been installed over the past three years.

"We've been studying intelligent traffic systems for the last 10 years to determine the best kind for our city's needs," he said.

California drivers are familiar with the system but Las Vegans greeted the news with mixed emotions.

"We need something like that because the freeway just gets too congested," said Gwenda Foy, a native who normally uses the Lake Mead Boulevard entry ramp only on weekends.

"I think people here drive crazy," said Oddmund Mork of Sun City Summerlin. "The (merge ramp) light, it's a good thing. It's a good thing to have a stop light there."

Ramp meters will operate only when the freeway is congested, usually during peak commute times. Motorcycles will be allowed to use a bypass lane without stopping.

"This is just one tool in our toolbox," said Ingrid Reisman, communications manager for the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada. "Ramp meters aren't effective on their own. You have to incorporate other elements like the timing of traffic signals that lead up to the freeway entrances and the freeway alert systems that tell motorists there's an accident up ahead so they can get off in a timely manner."

Reisman said motorists with underpowered cars need not worry about picking up momentum to merge with 65-mph traffic as the ramp meters will only be used during high-volume traffic times, when freeway speeds are slower.

"We want to get commuters used to using the system and working with it on a daily basis," Reisman said. "More ramp meters will be installed as construction continues and roadways improve."

Police warn that failure to stop at a ramp meter when it is red is a traffic violation similar to running a red light, and can result in a fine.

For comments or questions about ramp meters, call the RTC's hot line at 385-7267.