Modeling the Impacts and Benefits of the Proposed Ramp Meters for the Atlanta Region Using CORSIM

This paper describes how the Georgia Department of Transportation has embarked on an ambitious use of ramp meters in the metro Atlanta region. During the next three years, the Department will design and install approximately 150 completely new ramp meters on the urban Interstates and other freeways in the metro Atlanta region. This initiative is part of an aggressive program that is supported by the Governor of Georgia for reducing traffic congestion through traffic management. Because of the potential to create congestion on the crossing arterial roadway network, an operational analysis of the ramps, freeway mainline and adjacent arterial network was undertaken using the CORSIM simulation modeling software. The paper describes the use of CORSIM for operational analysis of the proposed ramp meters by the Department's consultant. Topics covered include data collection and synthesis, CORSIM model development including software limitations, calibration of freeway models in the Atlanta area, using CORSIM to identify impacts and benefits of ramp metering along ten (10) freeway corridors in the Atlanta area. A comparison of CORSIM modeling results to real world impacts and benefits based on Minnesota Department of Transportation field results is also covered.