Public Information Dissemination for Ramp Metering in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Area

[摘要] Although ramp metering systems have been in use throughout the U.S. for over 40 years,ramp meters are still a foreign concept in many places. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is one suchplace; therefore, successful implementation of ramp meters in the Pittsburgh area would require acomprehensive public education campaign. However, there are currently no standards inPennsylvania for such a campaign. This lack of information on public education raises thefollowing questions: How important is a public education campaign to the success of a rampmetering project in the Pittsburgh area? What have other states done in the past to educate thepublic on ramp metering? And what is the most effective way to inform the public about rampmeters?This study aims to answer these questions through the development, administration, andanalysis of a number of surveys. Eleven state departments of transportation were surveyed as apart of this study, and the trends of these states' experiences with ramp metering and publiceducation are discussed. A test group of thirty-one motorists representing the Pittsburgh area general public were also surveyed as part of the study. This survey was conducted in two parts(before and after reviewing informational material on ramp metering), and the results wereanalyzed both individually and as a comparison. The findings of all surveys are discussed, andrecommendations are made for a ramp metering public education campaign in the Pittsburgharea.

[发布机构] the University of Pittsburgh

[效力级别] implementation