Planning Level Evaluation of the Effects of Ramp Metering on North Carolina Freeways Final Report [Cover title]

US Transportation Collection2019PDFTech ReportDavis, JoyChase, ThomasAghdashi, BehzadCunningham, ChrisHead, WestonPoslusny, JamesKarlson, TerryNorth Carolina State University. Institute for Transportation Research & EducationNorth Carolina Department of Transportation. Research and Analysis GroupUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway AdministrationNorth Carolina State University. Institute for Transportation Research & EducationNorth CarolinaUnited StatesBefore and after studiesBenefit cost analysisEvaluation and assessmentFreewaysLessons learnedRamp meteringLife cycle analysisDelaysOperationsPlanning2018-19Final Project Report, August 2017 to February 2019Since September 2017, the first four on\u2010ramp signals in North Carolina, positioned on the westbound lanes of I\u2010540 in Wake County, have been regularly activated Monday to Friday from 6:30 \u2010 9am. This report focused on the impact of these on\u2010ramp signals. The results identified are the product of data collected in the I\u2010540 WB area over multiple years from numerous sources, both before and after on\u2010ramp signals. When feasible, the costs and benefits of the on\u2010ramp signals were monetized using benefit cost analysis methods. The results of this study show that the on\u2010 ramp signals resulted in benefits including a forecasted net savings of $7,949,541 over the ten years after the installation of the on\u2010ramp signals. In addition, the analytical methods updated and developed through this study will provide North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) with planning and evaluation frameworks that can be readily applied to future on\u2010ramp signal projects. In the future, NCDOT can use the planning\u2010level tools to evaluate the potential of implementing on\u2010ramp signals in other locations in the state and can apply the evaluation tools to assess the impacts of the on\u2010ramp signals after installation. Ultimately, the methods, processes, and lessons learned delivered with this study can help North Carolina save make faster and more accurate decisions about future on\u2010ramp signal projects.125