Opinion Talk

By Shawny

July 28, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

No, we do not need them. And we will never get away from them, as we now have spent the money and we will now have to ‘justify’ their existence.

What we need is more throughput at ramps and intersections.

By MakesSense2Me

July 28, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this

Do we need then? NO! Do we need the people who thought them up earning a government salary? NOT. Fire them TODAY. All of them.

By Lucy

July 28, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this

Yes we need them since many people do not know how to merge appropriately. Besdies, traffic is moving “fine” because the ramp meters are in place.

By hazer

July 28, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

Only shifts the congestion to the off ramp and side streets, so what’s the point? And every 3rd card just blows right thru them anyway. Unenforceable, unless you plant a cop at every signal…

By Overit

July 28, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

No they are not needed and the on ramp was designed for you to pick up speed to merge into the traffic on the freeway. Coming from a dead stop to merger into speeding traffic makes no sense, Thanks government officials for thinking this one out.

By Peter

July 28, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

Ramp meters……… well maybe…….

Hey Jim………..Do we need to catch Bin Laden ?

By lewis

July 28, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

Just gives the Doraville police another way to stop people on the expessway for some violation. The town must be making a fortune off its ticketing drivers on their stretch of interstate.

By jcwhitingjr

July 28, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this

Absolutely NOT! What a waste of our money!

By Sneaky Pete

July 28, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

Why weren’t the ramp meters put in instead for the people in the right hand expressway lanes? Let them have to stop. They’re the ones who won’t let people merge properly ! HUH?

By ted

July 28, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

NO - Stopping and restarting wastes gas and may not allow for proper merging speed.
I’ve always thought vehicles entering the freeway should have right-of-way over the freeway right lane. But then, I’m not a highway engineer.

By zeke

July 28, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

No, just like hov lanes they are a waste of money and are useless. How could you possibly think something concocted by the nuts that designed spaghetti junction, the mixing bowl and are proposing toll lanes to increase traffic flow will work???! How will tolls increase traffic flow? THEY WILL NOT!!!!!!!!

By ericMann

July 28, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

Doraville? what about sandy springs? and we need something too monitor, the non-driving atlanta idiots! because the police sure won’t do anything about the non-drivers!

By Johnny cake

July 28, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

Who cares? Just run ‘em.

By Taxpayer

July 28, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

Put a coin slot on a light for those willing to pay for faster access to Georgia’s rush hour parking lots. Get up to a one minute delay for free, a 30-second delay for 50 cents, a 15-second delay for one dollar…We just need a little of that American creativity.

By LilZ

July 28, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

I have been the victim of ramp meters at Indian Trail and Jimmy Carter on I-85. They seem to just back up traffic on the on-ramp where there was never a problem before. It seems like they just moved the traffic back up off the highway and onto the ramps!

By paul

July 28, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

No they don’t work and they cause stress to the drivers who are already stressed from the traffic alone creating a horrible Atlanta driving experience.

Who’s bright idea was to essentially shut down the city with the paving of the interstates on the weekends? Why not do the paving throughout the night when less cars are on the road?

By AH

July 28, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

they do seem to work so I’d say yes we need them.

By TomG

July 28, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Yes, because apparently a lot of drivers have forgotten how to merge, both coming on the expressway and those on the expressway. As to ‘blowing’ thru the light, each city will be making a lot of money from you!

By Edward

July 28, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

Just like the people who btch about the red-light cameras, people who btch about the ramp meters are the ones the meters are designed for: those who think THEY are special and shouldn’t have to follow the rules everyone else must.

By R

July 28, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

Why did government waste the money on ramp meters when the bigger issue is traffic, period? That money would have been better spent funding public transportation from the suburbs into Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown. AND around the Perimeter - HELLO - Perimeter Mall area, Cobb County, and all office parks located around 285.

The goal should be to get cars OFF of the highways, not making intersections worse trying to even get to an onramp.

Let’s thank ALL of the politicians who ignored all other advise other than making traffic worse. Do they have to be burdened with these traffic issues as well? Or just us lowly commuters. I would really like to know.

By saywhat

July 28, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

No-No-No. We do not need those stupid ramp meters. I think they are a danger and will cause multiple wrecks and lives before someone with common sense and the DOT decides to end it. They are terrible inefficient - we do not need to be forced to stop on a entrance ramp to the interstate when everyone else is doing 65-75 (or more) miles per hour, not to mention the back-up on the ramps, which in turn, will cause back-ups on the surface streets that feed into the entrance ramps. All around, this is a stupid system that cost too much and will cause more accidents and I need a light to tell me how and when to get on the interstate.

By RealityKing

July 28, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

Our roads are crumbling, our bridges are collapsing and the GDOT is burning our hard earned tax dollars on ramp red lights and new road construction galore. Evidently they haven’t noticed the high gas prices and reduced traffic of late. Why would they…

And why oh why do we need 2 red lights for each ramp lane!? Twice the price for the taxpayer or kick backs for the “traffic experts” that say these things work? And of course, its not just the on ramps, its every new intersection, 2 red lights for each lane and a camera on each turn. Could there be a more wasteful approach to highway management than this? What moran in charge keeps approving these plans!!??

No.., we do not need ramp meters. This is nothing more than another shining example of what our bloated government bodies do best, waste our tax dollars. Heads should be rolling over these meters. In fact, the whole bloody GDOT management should be rolling since they can’t see the obvious waste.

We can privatize the roads, do away with the GDOT, the gas tax and the massive government waste machine behind it. Then only those that use the road would pay for it. My what a unique concept..

By RealityKing

July 28, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

Meanwhile…., out in the real world.

“Americans drove 9.6 billion fewer miles in May compared to a year earlier, the 3 largest fall in as many months. Highway funds are in danger as Americans drive less, the Federal Highway Administration says.”

But evidently ouor leaders at the GDOT aren’t worry about funding..

By run for your life

July 28, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

Of course we don’t need them. Entrance ramps are supposed to be where you accelerate to highway speed, not come to a complete stop.

How much was that GDOT budget shortfall last year?! How many million?! Should we be spending the few highway dollars we have on these traffic lights or on other projects?!

By West Cobb Dad

July 28, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

They were not needed. All it has done is back up the secondary roads as it takes me 20-30 minutes to get on 285 now when it use to take just 10. And the secondary roads are getting worse as those not wanting to be irritated by these lights are flooding them. When will someone get a clue and put a rail system circling the perimeter and at least 10 miles outside the perimeter along the interstate spokes? Come on people, WAKE UP!!

By Duh

July 28, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

Yes, we need the meters.

Judging by the endless whipping in and out of traffic by restless drivers during rush hour in an endless mission to get two car lengths ahead, there are a few drivers whose needs for speed without understanding of how to satisfy them that slow us all down. Folks like this, many of whom have likely posted here, cannot merge properly, much less drive, because they are too damn impatient.

The meters help to prevent these people who lack patience from dragging us all down to a standstill on the roads. Some may call it the DOT pocketing cash or the state calling drivers stupid; I don’t care whether it is either or both. Patience is something that we all need to ultimately move faster out there, and if it takes a traffic light to instill some in the wild ones, bring them on.

By They turned them off in California

July 28, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

We copied California and now they do not use them because they do nothing except cause more problems. How does it help? If a person can not merge with no lights, how does a light help. They still have to merge into traffice so please explain. It is not green when there is nothing coming, so people who can not merge still will not be able too. So now we back up regular roads. What a great idea, instead of making roads bigger, we install something to make traffic commutes longer. Thats what we get for having a bunch of morons in Ga. Like I said before, we copied California and they stopped using them!!! WTF!!!!!!!!

By LB

July 28, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

A high percentage of Atlanta drivers speed excessively. Anything to slow down traffic around merging areas is a good idea.

A great deal of the traffic on the highways is caused by merging especially at all the dangerous “exit only” lanes.The ramp meters will increase traffic on surface streets, but you will save time with greater flow on the highway and it will be safer.

Of course, few people here are thinking about anything but themselves…

By bobfromcanton

July 28, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

No, we don’t need the ramp meters! If anyone had bothered to check out the So. Calif. freeways they would know these didn’t work out there either. How did this happen? Fire everyone that decided to do this, now!

By BeeJay

July 28, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

NO. I have to laugh at those who say we need them because people don’t know how to merge. Merging would be easy if those driving in the right-hand lane of the x-way were sensitive to the fact that people have to get on somehow. Merging is no easier, and in fact no different at all, because of ramp meters. All I’ve seen is backed-up ramps and surface streets.

By Scrappy

July 28, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

Big waste of money. I am glad I no longer have to drive past any of them.

I am surprised businesses are complaining yet about the traffic back ups. For example the Roswell Rd - 285 area has gotten so much worse on the surface streets it is vitually impossible to enter any of the businesses, they are blocked by cars - and no, people don’t let you in. I have stopped driving that way and have stopped going to those businesses already, I’m sure I am not the only one.

By GaLiberal

July 28, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Ramp metering is a way to get overloaded roadways to handle the excess traffic. It is a proven and effective way to keep the bulk of traffic moving. Is it the best solution? No, but when you either don’t have the space or the money to expand the road, this is the only choice left.

I just love reading all the Rethuglicon tirades about wasteful spending and stupid government workers. Privatization, less government, and lower taxes is their solution to everything. Yet, the first thing they do is whine the government is not doing enough to fix the problem.

When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And the whining about ramp metering lights is living proof.

By speedfreak

July 28, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

YES, I feel they help to smooth the flow onto Atlanta’s speedways. If some backup is transferred to the ramps and side streets, that’s congestion saved from the speedways. Once you do get on, you’ll be able to drive 120mph instead of that so 2003 100 mph.

By haha

July 28, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

I work at an engineering firm, and at times, when traffic is already completely stopped on the highway, these lights helped regulate the people merging so they all don’t cluster on at once and tick off everyone. But when the traffic is moving steadily, the lights should be completely turned off. Meaning they will be off the majority of the time, making them a waste of money to have put up. I even know another engineer working at another firm, who worked on the project to install all those lights, they said that they got a lot of money for the project but still knew the lights weren’t going to work (the way GDOT wanted them too). Now someone just needs to get that through to GDOT! These lights just bring the traffic problem off state highways and onto city streets, everyday when I get off the road is now backed up just because of the exit ramp!

On a quick side note of GDOT wasting money, how about those cameras that watch traffic every quarter of a mile. My friend got run over by a tractor trailer who never even stopped, Cobb County Police can’t catch the guy because those cameras don’t even record. Only live feed. Thanks for the idiots you hired to plan the Atlanta transportation system.

By Do the Math

July 28, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

No it won’t work here. You have to follow directions and pay attention for this system to work.

As far as traffic congestion in general…Atlantans should stop demanding that Government bail them out of bad housing locations decisions. All new roads should be tolled.

By Also

July 28, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

Is it even illegal to run those lights? They don’t have a yellow, so why not? They can’t be legal lights.

By Charlie

July 28, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

I am glad we have them as people in this city have no idea how to merge safely. They only care about themselves and getting where they need to go without any concern for anyone else. Granted these lights feel frustrating as you wait to get on the highway, however your highway experience will actually be better and shorter. In the long run these do work as I have witnessed first hand living for 4 years in Portland, OR where these lights are a SUCESS! Stop being so selfish people and think of how it affects all people not just that face in the mirror.

By MBC

July 28, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

No, we do not need them.

The ramp meters at Beaver Ruin have created a back up from the exit ramp up onto Beaver Ruin Rd where there was not one before (unless major accident). Additionally, you cannot merge into traffic well.

These do not work in LA (and, yes, I’ve driven in LA and surrounding areas so I have experienced them) so what made the DOT think they would work here?!?

By RealityKing

July 28, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

Accountablility means nothing to these people, just read the intro into their website..

Welcome

The Georgia Department of Transportation’s team of motivated professionals and quality-driven management will maintain and improve mobility by providing a safe, seamless, intermodal, environmentally-sensitive transportation system.

Through transportation leadership and wise use of human and financial resources, innovative technology, public/private partnerships and citizen input, we will ensure a balance of transportation options so that people and goods arrive at their destination in a timely and efficient manner.

By BOB

July 28, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

HELL NO!

By Jeff

July 28, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

They didn’t work in Denver, they wont work here. They installed one at Glenwood to I20 West. Im usually the only person on the entrance ramp at any given time. Even 8am. Traffice is usually not backed up there, and all it does is make me waste more gas to stop at yet ANOTHER worthless light. Personally, if there is no camera, and no was to really get caught, im not going to stop for them!

By P

July 28, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

No, they’re a horrible idea. Not only do they add to 285 congestion (since cars are not moving at the proper speed to merge), now they’re screwing up surface streets as well. Poorly conceived and terribly executed. And here’s who you call: Paul Marshall with GDOT Public Relations- (404)635-8017. Let him know just how inconvenient and ridiculous these things are.

By No ramp meters

July 28, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

I think those ramp meters are the worse thing GDOT ever started. Its bad enough Atlanta traffic is the worse and people already has roadrage, but to add those ramp meters makes things worse. I do agree that people here do not know how to merge properly to get on the expressway, but it backs up traffic on the streets to get on the expressway for miles. It normally takes me 10 minutes to leave my house and get to the express way, but when those ramp meters are turned on it takes an additional 30 minutes just to get on the expressway.

By Wilbert

July 28, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

Main advantage (maybe only one) of the lights is the fact most Atlanta drivers think that they have the right of way while mergering. Ever notice the “YIELD” sign on the ramp.. No, I didn’t think so. Watch 10-15 cars merge on a ramp at the same time (stopping freeway traffic) and you will start to see a need for the ramp lights.

By Daniel

July 28, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

Worst idea ever - to come to a complete stop when the whole point of the ramp is to “ramp up” your speed. Whoever thought this idea should be immediately fired.

Just another way to waste gas and peoples’ time and taxpayers money.

By Doug

July 28, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

No, you cannot accelerate to freeway speed in the tiny stub left on the on-ramp after the light, I think it is quite dangerous. And everywhere I saw it NOT working last week (meaning the lights were working but not well) there were HUGE backups trying to get to the on ramps.

By george hussein washington

July 28, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

We need Editorial Meters to keep half witted uga journalism majors from spouting half wit opinions on world and national events about which they know nothing….

By Bob

July 28, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

Absolutely the worst idea the DOT has come up with in a long time. They were tried downtown several years ago and FAILED! They have been tried in Denver and California and no one uses them. Another great waste of time and money.

By Rick

July 28, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

If the traffic light helps reduce congestion, the lights need to be placed ASAP at the Boggs Rd/I85 merge with 316 East. It has become the slowest thing possible. There is not much traffic on 316, but people are coming to a halt on the merge, then not trying to accelerate until they are actually touching 316. So the back-up stretches about a half mile. It is so bad that I continue to 120 and take the long way to Lawrenceville. Pretty much everything else about the new 316/85 construction is great, but where is the fix for this merge?

By TAB

July 28, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

No, they are just another way to spend money. If it wasn’t this it would be something else.

By Fix-It

July 28, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

This is the same government logic that ask us to use less water, then raised the prices because we where not using more. In the long run this is a waste of gas.

By Ms. No Meters Please

July 28, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

Ramp Meters are not needed - PERIOD. If they are deemed to make it easier to merge into traffic, might I suggest walking, riding Marta or simply learnig street routes instead of holding up interstate traffic.

By Michael

July 28, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

NO! They were designed by morons. How does stopping traffic help it flow better? WTF!

By Joe

July 28, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

Waste of money and gas. Just put up a sign reminding people how to merge.

Part of problem is GDOT road crews on the cheap, when they do lane closures they don’t use cones’ until the very end and at a sharp angle.

They need to advise people to stay in lanes and merge with everyother car when the lane begins to taper out, not before, because then you destroy the every other car routine.

And Merging off ramps requires a yield but also those on the highways need to steer clear of the right lane or in congested conditions allow every cars to merge at the end of the entrance ramp at a rate of every other cars.

Get it, sign for most ramps (ie. not those entrance exit lanes) “Continue to end of lane and merge carefully; heavy traffic follow the every other car rule” Sign for highway, “Right hand lane allow cars to merge: heavy traffic follow the everyother car rule.”

Teach people to drive don’t try to idiot proof the roads with things like these lights.

By Make_me_sick

July 28, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

The ramp lights are not designed into the system and will never be used correctly. Has anyone looked into the system in place in Southern California? The ramps are 2 miles long and when the light turns green everyone can speed up to merge. Try that with 1/4 mile ramps and you will end up with problems. The entire problem is lack of planning. Twenty Years ago traffic was slow, so they added lanes. Now the traffic is a parking lot. Back in 1976 the GT civil engineers had to count the cars past the tenth street overpass and during rush hour we counted 5 cars per hour. The planning group then thought that they did not have a problem, but instead of smooth traffic it was a parking lot. What has changed in the last 40 years, nothing……..

Please plan correctly and do everything you can to fix the problem.

By Matt

July 28, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

As a “highway engineer” ramp meters are one of best bangs for the buck around. Rather spending the hundreds of millions of dollars to add lanes to 285, these can be added for 10-20 million. Transit, although a great traffic reliever, cost in the billions to get an effective system (Metro Atlanta needs 54 billion over 20 years to create an adequate system). If you are interested in learning about the effectiveness of ramp meters, google Minnesota Ramp Meters, and you can read about their effectiveness and traffic congestion relief over a 5 year span.

The main advantage of ramp meters is that they space out ramp traffic. If you watch an un-metered ramp, you will see that most drivers travel in tight packs, speed up to 65+ mph, then have to slam on their breaks because traffic is flowing thicker than 5+ cars can merge in 1000 ft. As for the ineffective lights in Downtown, do a little more research and you will find that they improved commute times by up to 5-6 minutes for downtown to suburb commutes (between 10% & 20% improvement).

By vlscpa

July 28, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

FOLLOW THE MONEY.

It’s likely already been spent, so it won’t matter that we abandon them, cover them back up with black plastic, again, soon, please.

THEY’VE ALREADY GOT THEIR MONEY.