M3/M27 Ramp Metering Pilot Scheme (RMPS)-implementation and assessment

Ramp metering is one of several traffic control techniques being assessed by the Highways Agency (HA) aimed at making better use of the existing road network. The system is designed to reduce flow breakdown and congestion at motorway junctions and uses traffic signals on the entry slip-road to control vehicles joining the motorway. In this way, vehicles are only allowed to join the motorway at a measured, or metered, rate. This paper presents the findings from the first year of operation and scheme assessment of such a system on the M3/M27 ramp.