Operation of Ramp Signaling System – FDOT's Experiences

Ramp signaling, a relatively low-cost traffic management technique, that has been used to alleviate congestion due to bottlenecks and mainline traffic flow being disrupted by entering platoons in the past two decades. As part of an overall long-term strategy of integrated initiatives to improve the safety, throughput and reliability of mobility within South Florida, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) implemented the first Ramp Signaling (RS) system along the I-95 corridor in this region. This RS system is operated by FDOT District VI Transportation Management Center (TMC) located in Miami-Dade County, FL. This paper presents the start-up and the initial operation of the RS system. It provides practical experiences in RM system implementation and operation from a TMC perspective.