Evaluation of the Potential for Ramp Metering I-610 Loop Freeway (TTI-1994-21)

The Houston District of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is presently developing plans for a Computerized Transportation Management System (CTMS) along the I-610 Loop Freeway. The proposed CTMS will include the installation of video surveillance, changeable message signs, mainlane vehicle detection, frontage road signal operations, and freeway entrance ramp control. TxDOT requested the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) to complete a feasibility study to evaluate the need for ramp metering along this facility. This document addresses three sections of the I-610 Loop Freeway as follows: A) South Loop East (SH 288 South Freeway to I-45 Gulf Freeway), B) East Loop (SH 225 LaPorte Freeway to I-10 East Freeway), and C) North Loop East (I-10 East Freeway to US 59 Eastex Freeway). The needs for metering on each of these urban freeways is based upon the warrants as specified in section 4E-23 of the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).