Why are there different time cycles at ramp signals?
The red-green cycles will vary from ramp to ramp. The green light will typically be on for two seconds, and the red light may vary anywhere from two to thirteen seconds depending upon traffic flow conditions. These timings will be adjusted depending on current traffic conditions. Because the ramp signals will be “demand responsive”, the operating hours and the red-green cycles will be controlled by traffic at that moment. Sensors in the pavement indicate how heavy traffic volumes are on the freeways. Lighter volumes would send a signal to the ramp signal controller to “tell” the signal to speed up the red-green cycles to let more cars on the freeway. Similarly, if the signals detect heavier traffic on the freeways, the red-green cycles would be adjusted to space out merging traffic at a safer rate.
