In an ongoing effort to provide congestion relief to motorists, the Georgia Department of Transportation is installing ramp meters on the interstate system and several major state routes throughout metro Atlanta. Ramp meters, which control the flow of traffic onto the interstate, will eventually be located on I-20, I-75, I-85, I-285, I-575, U.S. 78 and State Route 400.

The meters are being installed in many metro locations, including several in Cobb County. I-575 from Barrett Parkway to SR 92 will have meters activated this month. I-285 Northwest from Hollowell Parkway to U.S. 41/Cobb Parkway will have meters activated in early November and I-75 will have meters from Wade Green Road to SR 92 activated in early June 2009.

Ramp meters are designed to reduce peak traffic congestion by forcing vehicles to merge one at a time in a safe and orderly way. The meters are activated before the beginning of rush-hour and every four seconds there is a red and green cycle, allowing one vehicle to move onto the freeway. If too many cars back up on the ramp, automated sensors adjust the cycle to allow vehicles to merge faster. The meters will be used during peak congestion times only.

Ramp meters will be enforced like traffic signals, authorities said. Motorists who fail to obey a ramp meter signal will be fined as they would for violating an intersection traffic signal.

Ramp meters have been used for more than 20 years in more than 20 U.S. cities. Documented benefits include reduction in congestion on the freeway, reduction in overall interstate travel time, reduction in accidents in the merge area along freeway entrance ramps and reduction in vehicle emissions.
For a complete list of locations, visit www.dot.ga.gov.