Module Navigation

	1.	Introduction
	2.	Research Question
	3.	Resources 1
	4.	Resources 2
	5.	Data
	6.	ITS Occupations
	7.	Presentations

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Ramp Metering

"Everything in life is somewhere else, and you get there in a car."
—E.B. White, "Fro-Joy," One Man's Meat (1944).

Transportation has become more and more complex as our society has grown. The need to monitor and control transportation and transportation systems will also grow as the density of populations increases.

Your task is to investigate the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) topic of Ramp Metering and its impact on travel. You will also explore occupations in Intelligent Transportation Systems.

What is Ramp Metering?

Ramp metering is defined as the process of facilitating traffic flow on freeways by regulating the amount of traffic entering the freeway, through the use of control devices (such as traffic signals) on entrance ramps. Traffic signals are commonly linked to metering devices, allowing cars to enter the freeway at a predetermined rate.

Recently, the State of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) concluded an experiment with ramp meters. The goal of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of the ramp metering system throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Using some of the data from the Mn/DOT study and information provided by the resource sites included here, you will gain a basic understanding of the uses of ramp meters.

To continue the Research Module, move on to Step 2 — the Research Question.