Caltrans Flips The Switch on Metering Lights

If you haven't hopped onto I-80 in a few days you may be in for a bit of a surprise, not to mention an unexpected wait, after Caltrans activated 43 ramp meters on the Interstate 80 corridor between the Carquinez and Bay Bridges in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Ramp meters improve safety and ease freeway congestion by controlling traffic demand so freeway capacity is not exceeded. But metering lights have their detractors -- some drivers hate the extra time spent waiting to get onto the freeway.

The metering lights operate during the weekday morning commute hours of 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The ramp metering lights will remain solid green for the afternoon weekday commute until August 2, at which time they will activate in both directions during the afternoon weekday commute hours of 12:00 Noon to 8:00 p.m.

Meters will also operate on weekends, starting July 30, depending on traffic conditions.

The ramp meters on I-80 are connected to an intelligent adaptive system that will actively monitor traffic conditions throughout the corridor and optimize the ramp meters in real-time. It is a key element of the I-80 SMART Corridor system.

It should be fully operational by September.

Image By Patriarca12 via Wikimedia Commons