Stop Lights on GA 400??? (Atlanta: living in, move, eat)

[Workerbee12]

The last time I was in GA, I saw traffic lights on the on ramps of GA 400. Please tell me that these lights were an idea gone bad and not something for the near future. These lights are on exit 9 and 10, at least the two that I saw.


Why would anyone want to place stop lights on an on ramp (acceleration lane) and have a sign posted "one car per green"? This is a traffic nightmare.

[wxjay]

Originally Posted by Workerbee12

The last time I was in GA, I saw traffic lights on the on ramps of GA 400. Please tell me that these lights were an idea gone bad and not something for the near future. These lights are on exit 9 and 10, at least the two that I saw.


Why would anyone want to place stop lights on an on ramp (acceleration lane) and have a sign posted "one car per green"? This is a traffic nightmare.

These are being implemented EVERYWHERE in metro Atlanta (I-75 is installing them - I see them everyday). There are mixed feelings from commuters and highway personnel about them. However, the data show that these traffic signals work to curb congestion on highways caused by merging cars. I know it seems counterintuitive at first, but they have documented success (and yes, some failures).

Essentially, GDOT is working to "patch" the congestion problem rather than working on true sustainable transit solutions.

[Workerbee12]

Originally Posted by wxjay

These are being implemented EVERYWHERE in metro Atlanta (I-75 is installing them - I see them everyday). There are mixed feelings from commuters and highway personnel about them. However, the data show that these traffic signals work to curb congestion on highways caused by merging cars. I know it seems counterintuitive at first, but they have documented success (and yes, some failures).

Essentially, GDOT is working to "patch" the congestion problem rather than working on true sustainable transit solutions.

This makes no sense. If it is a merging problem, I believe that it is the driver who needs to be re-educated to allow a car from the merging lane in his/her lane. If the driver is not allowing a car to merge how will the light have an impact? There is not guarantee that there will be an open gap between cars to allow the merging car in.

[Galounger]

Originally Posted by Workerbee12

The last time I was in GA, I saw traffic lights on the on ramps of GA 400. Please tell me that these lights were an idea gone bad and not something for the near future. These lights are on exit 9 and 10, at least the two that I saw.


Why would anyone want to place stop lights on an on ramp (acceleration lane) and have a sign posted "one car per green"? This is a traffic nightmare.

I think those lights are called "metering lights" and they have been using them on freeways in California and some other places forever now. They are supposed to decrease congestion by decreasing accumulation at merge points.

Don't know how well they actually work.

[true2teal]

Originally Posted by Galounger

I think those lights are called "metering lights" and they have been using them on freeways in California and some other places forever now. They are supposed to decrease congestion by decreasing accumulation at merge points.

Don't know how well they actually work.

When I was in CA, it took longer to get onto the freeway, but traffic was generally smoother once you were there.

I agree with wxjay though - it's not a fix. It will just move the backups from the highway to the surface streets. That's bad enough around here already.

[runnergrl]

It's true...I live in CA and it is the norm during heavy traffic time to use those lights....I know it will take some getting used to when we are geared up to merge onto the race track.

It does help. It controls the amount of traffic coming onto the highway so that it doesnt gridlock. You just have to stop for 1-2 seconds before going onto the hwy....no big deal. Think about it how many times have you noticed people acting like, well, a**holes, you know just trying to get into traffic. It is no wonder people are more stressed living in atlanta when you manuever around it like dog eat dog. It just isnt worth it to me. So many times on GA 400...I have seen so many people driving like kids fighting over playground equipment....cutting people off, putting their brakes on...its crazy...and it could kill you just like that.