How does Mn/DOT’s Traffic Management Center determine which rate a meter runs at?
A. Whether a meter runs at rate 1 or 2, and just how much “red-time” a traveler will experience at any given meter during actual metered/operating hours, is based on a variety of factors programmed into custom software written for Mn/DOT’s Traffic Management Centers computers. (see previous questions regarding metering rates and why ramp meters turn-on or stay in a flashing yellow mode). Generally, The actual red time for a specific ramp is based on the number of vehicles that use that ramp in a given hour. The higher the volume on the ramp the lower the red time used for the ramp. . Q. In some instances, I’ve seen congestion happening prior to the designated hours of operation for the meters. Why can’t you turn the meters on earlier than 6:30 in the morning, or 3:30 in the afternoon? A. During the course of this legislatively mandated study, it became clear that an all or nothing approach is not the best. Market research showed that 20 percent of commuters want the meters left off, ro
