Bradley C. Wieferich, P.E., Director | Michigan Department Of Transportation
Bradley C. Wieferich, P.E., Director | Michigan Department Of Transportation
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has begun installing temporary electronic signs at entrance ramps along the I-96 Flex Route in Oakland County. The new signs are intended to remind drivers to pull up to the white line, or stop bar, when waiting at a red ramp meter signal. According to MDOT, this action ensures that sensors embedded in the ramp are properly triggered, allowing the ramp meter signals to cycle through yellow, red, and green as designed.
Ramp metering signals have been placed on eight entrance ramps between Novi and Milford roads. These include:
- Southbound Milford Road to eastbound I-96
- Southbound Milford Road to westbound I-96
- Northbound Milford Road to eastbound I-96
- Wixom Road to westbound I-96
- Southbound Novi Road to eastbound I-96
- Southbound Novi Road to westbound I-96
- Northbound Novi Road to eastbound I-96
- Northbound Novi Road to westbound I-96
MDOT states that ramp meters are used in several other states as a method for reducing crashes and improving travel times by controlling how vehicles enter freeways. By spacing out groups of entering vehicles, drivers already on the freeway do not need to slow down as much, making merging smoother.
A video explaining how ramp meters function is available on MDOT’s YouTube channel. The department outlines key steps for drivers: form two lanes on the ramp, stop at the white line, and wait for their turn at a green light before merging onto the freeway. The signals alternate between right and left lanes so that only one vehicle merges at a time.
MDOT reminds motorists that failing to stop for a red light at a ramp meter is considered a traffic violation equivalent to running a red light at any traditional intersection. When traffic is lighter and the system is inactive, the meters will flash yellow and allow normal merging without stopping.
More information about freeway ramp metering can be found on the Federal Highway Administration website (https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop14020/sec2.htm).
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