Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Transportation:

Coming to a freeway near you: meters to help manage merging traffic

Freeway ramp meters regulating the flow of traffic will be activated on Interstate 515 and southbound Interstate 15 on Thursday.

The Freeway and Arterial System of Transportation meters operated by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada and the Nevada Department of Transportation are designed to manage traffic merging onto freeways. Meters already are in place on portions of I-15, I-515 and U.S. 95.

A ramp meter on northbound I-515 at Charleston Boulevard will operate during rush-hour commute periods from 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. Other meters on I-515 and southbound I-15 will be activated during heavy periods of traffic congestion.

The meters typically stop vehicles with red-light traffic signals on merging lanes and allow one car to pass per green light every three to four seconds.

The two agencies’ FAST system includes ramp meters, dynamic message signs and 240 cameras to control the flow of traffic. The system also coordinates traffic signals on local streets. Live streaming video of freeway choke points is available at the RTC website and NDOT’s site.

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