Development of Criteria and Guidelines for Installing, Operating and Removing TxDOT Ramp Control Signals (0-5294-1)

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) uses ramp control signals (also called ramp meters or flow signals) to control the rate at which vehicles enter the freeway. This helps TxDOT (1) promote a more consistent and uniform flow of traffic entering the freeway, and (2) promote a more efficient use of the existing freeway capacity. The purpose of this project was to develop guidelines and criteria to assist TxDOT decision makers in determining when and where to install new ramp control signals and remove existing ramp control signals when they no longer provide a benefit to freeway traffic. This report documents the process, procedures, and research used to develop those guidelines and criteria. The actual guidelines, criteria, and forms are in Product 0-5294-P1, "Operating Guidelines for TxDOT Ramp Control Signals."