[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Ramp metering wouldn't solve the traffic problem, but it would help. It's been proven over and over again to reduce congestion.

ConnDOT did study using ramp meters on I-95 several years ago and it was found that it was not feasible. The problem with ramp metering is that you need certain design characteristics to make them work. Our highways are not designed well to accomodate them. This would include long ramps to store waiting vehicles and a local roadway network to accomodate overflow vehicles. We do not have this. Jay

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by JayCT

ConnDOT did study using ramp meters on I-95 several years ago and it was found that it was not feasible. The problem with ramp metering is that you need certain design characteristics to make them work. Our highways are not designed well to accomodate them. This would include long ramps to store waiting vehicles and a local roadway network to accomodate overflow vehicles. We do not have this. Jay

I bet that was before the dynamic overflow tech that modern ramp meters have. Essentially they deactivate if the ramp backs up too far, making it easier to install on short ramps.

It would be a small (relatively) investment to do a test. I don't trust those studies. Put it to work in the real world and see what happens.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Stylo

I bet that was before the dynamic overflow tech that modern ramp meters have. Essentially they deactivate if the ramp backs up too far, making it easier to install on short ramps.

It would be a small (relatively) investment to do a test. I don't trust those studies. Put it to work in the real world and see what happens.

It would not matter. The ramps on I-95 are short so an overflow detector would be off virtually all the time during rush hours. I am not sure why you say you do not trust these studies. It is not like the consultants and ConnDOT personnel doing them have anything to gain by not recommending them. Believe me, this was not something dismissed without full involvement of some of the top transportation people in the country. And no I was not involved in this. Jay

[Stylo]

I don't know. They need solutions. I think some key onramps that have some length already could easily be configured. Just because some don't work doesn't mean they shouldn't try a few. The state does very little to mitigate traffic issues.

[HeadedWest]

Originally Posted by Stylo

The state does very little to mitigate traffic issues.

That's because the option of increasing road capacity is off the table.

[Tilt11]

Originally Posted by HeadedWest

That's because the option of increasing road capacity is off the table.

Yep. In all honesty, we're screwed. And it'll only get worse if you can even imagine that.

[jp03]

Originally Posted by Tilt11

Yep. In all honesty, we're screwed. And it'll only get worse if you can even imagine that.

But has it gotten worse? Actually. I take Rt 7 every day and to be honest , it seemed worse 10 years ago. Same when I'm on the Merritt or 95..not saying its smooth sailing by any means but its not getting worse.

[Catdancer]

Originally Posted by HeadedWest

That's because the option of increasing road capacity is off the table.

Agreed. It would be close to impossible to widen 95 from the NY line to say, New London. If the state were to even try, it wouldn't be worth the effort unless you built with the future in mind.......and there's no way you could add an extra 2 -3 lanes each way. It will be interesting to see in the future when we have self piloting autos, if that will solve the problem.

Part of the problem with CT traffic, outside of rush hour, is the density. I'll talk about 95 between New Haven and New London here. Used to be that even on the busiest days, once you cleared Branford, barring construction or an accident, you were home free. Not so anymore. Now traffic backs up at various places from the Guilford/Madison line all the way to Waterford. Along with the march of progress, we can blame the casinos as well.

The traffic becomes so heavy that the slightest distraction along the side of the road, like a fender bender, a cop making an arrest, or a harmless disabled vehicle can cause traffic to stop and slow for miles back. I always joke with my wife that by standing on the side of the highway on a Friday afternoon, standing in Old Saybrook, dressed in a Barney costume, you could back up 95 all the way to East Haven. Point being, if there's a distraction, peeps have to look.

The only hope I see for CT traffic is cars that pilot themselves. Google recently announced that they were hoping to have an automatically piloted taxi functioning by 2020. Let's hope so because short of personal air scooters, things are probably going to continue getting worse. Perhaps, once the human curiosity factor is removed, traffic will be able to flow unabated. It's a long shot and a bit fantastical but what other hope have we got?

[JayCT]

FYI - ConnDOT has a long range plan to widen I-95 from Branford to RI by adding a third lane in each direction. The plan would cost a lot to do and the state has no way to pay for it. They are considering implementing tolls on this part of the highway but there has been no formal plan prepared. Jay

[wavehunter007]

Originally Posted by Catdancer

Agreed. It would be close to impossible to widen 95 from the NY line to say, New London. If the state were to even try, it wouldn't be worth the effort unless you built with the future in mind.......and there's no way you could add an extra 2 -3 lanes each way. It will be interesting to see in the future when we have self piloting autos, if that will solve the problem.

Part of the problem with CT traffic, outside of rush hour, is the density. I'll talk about 95 between New Haven and New London here. Used to be that even on the busiest days, once you cleared Branford, barring construction or an accident, you were home free. Not so anymore. Now traffic backs up at various places from the Guilford/Madison line all the way to Waterford. Along with the march of progress, we can blame the casinos as well.

The traffic becomes so heavy that the slightest distraction along the side of the road, like a fender bender, a cop making an arrest, or a harmless disabled vehicle can cause traffic to stop and slow for miles back. I always joke with my wife that by standing on the side of the highway on a Friday afternoon, standing in Old Saybrook, dressed in a Barney costume, you could back up 95 all the way to East Haven. Point being, if there's a distraction, peeps have to look.

The only hope I see for CT traffic is cars that pilot themselves. Google recently announced that they were hoping to have an automatically piloted taxi functioning by 2020. Let's hope so because short of personal air scooters, things are probably going to continue getting worse. Perhaps, once the human curiosity factor is removed, traffic will be able to flow unabated. It's a long shot and a bit fantastical but what other hope have we got?

I've driven on I-95 from Stamford to New London for many years.

While it's correct that areas from Branford to Rhode island see a lot of traffic and the 2 lanes per side is a issue - it is really more of a June - Sept issue. Many times I can cruise at 70 mph all the way from New London to New Haven non stop. Yet as soon as you hit Milford/Stratford you hit that NYC traffic. This occurs at all times of year, winter and summer.

Also, the biggest problem is CT locals should use Route 15 more, leave I-95 to the interstate travelers. Then again, Route 15 is a pretty outdated highway itself and not all that safe.